GCCA Joins Two More Coalition Efforts to Avert Rail Strike

GCCA continues its work with coalition partners to urge the Biden Administration and Congress to engage with rail carriers and union to avoid a rail labor strike.  This includes two recent coalition letters led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Agriculture Transportation Working Group.  While several unions have voted to accept the tentative agreement reached in September, two unions have rejected it.  The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Union (BMWED) voted down the tentative agreement a couple of weeks ago and last week the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) rejected the contract. The BMWED has also not agreed to extend the “status quo” period beyond November 19^th, meaning that they could potentially strike after that date.  Discussions continue regarding an extension, but they have yet to come to any agreement.  The BRS has extended its “status quo” period through December.  Two of the largest rail unions, BLET and SMART, will not complete their voting until November 21.  GCCA and its coalition partners are calling on Congress to step in as soon as they return from the elections to avoid a potential work stoppage.