Gillian Morley and Zachary Hudak contributed to this report
Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2025 5:33 am
Railroad unions on Tuesday slammed President Joe Biden's call for Congress to intervene in their contract dispute, saying the move undercuts their efforts to improve working conditions and Mr. Biden's claim to be a pro-labor leader.
Mr. Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that lawmakers will be asked to vote this week to impose the terms of the deals the 12 unions agreed to before an original strike deadline in September — even though buy phone number list four of those unions, who represent more than half of the 115,000 rail workers, rejected them. Eight other unions ratified the five-year deals that include 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses.
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Biden said he reluctantly agreed that it would be best to override the union votes because the potential damage to the economy would be too great.
"Economy's at risk"
"Congress I think has to act to prevent it," Biden said Tuesday. "It's not an easy call but I think we have to do it. The economy's at risk."
Meanwhile, business groups stress that it is crucial to avoid a strike next week, claiming it would devastate the economy.
The law allows Congress to impose a compromise agreement that had been backed by business and labor leaders in September, and which leaves out provisions demanded by four rail unions to boost sick leave. But rail workers and union leaders say forcing the deal on workers — a majority of whom voted against it — is siding with businesses over workers.
Mr. Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that lawmakers will be asked to vote this week to impose the terms of the deals the 12 unions agreed to before an original strike deadline in September — even though buy phone number list four of those unions, who represent more than half of the 115,000 rail workers, rejected them. Eight other unions ratified the five-year deals that include 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses.
Starbucks introduces new benefits for employees — as long as they aren't in a union
Labor activists take union fight to Jeff Bezos' and Howard Schultz's homes
Biden said he reluctantly agreed that it would be best to override the union votes because the potential damage to the economy would be too great.
"Economy's at risk"
"Congress I think has to act to prevent it," Biden said Tuesday. "It's not an easy call but I think we have to do it. The economy's at risk."
Meanwhile, business groups stress that it is crucial to avoid a strike next week, claiming it would devastate the economy.
The law allows Congress to impose a compromise agreement that had been backed by business and labor leaders in September, and which leaves out provisions demanded by four rail unions to boost sick leave. But rail workers and union leaders say forcing the deal on workers — a majority of whom voted against it — is siding with businesses over workers.