WASHINGTON, DC – On a 290 to 137 vote, the U.S. House today passed a bill which would avert a railway strike. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration. The strike deadline is December 9th. Officials say a rail strike would cripple the economy and ravage supply chains. (How each member voted: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2022490?Page=2).
From this region, Idaho Republican Russ Fulcher voted in favor of the bill. Meanwhile, Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers voted against the measure.
Eight Democrats and 79 Republicans voted against the bill. The resolution passed today was a tentative agreement negotiated with the two largest rail unions in September with help from the Biden Administration. It provides workers with a 24% raise over a five-year period and allows them to take time off for medical appointments without being penalized.
Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal of Washington State (D-WA) said in a statement that every worker deserves paid sick leave.
“I am proud of our efforts to negotiate a deal that guarantees seven days of paid sick leave for our rail workers,” Jayapal says.
Jayapal urged her colleagues to “stand by workers and vote yes for paid sick leave.”
Lawmakers are now set to vote on the separate measure which would give the more than 100,000 rail workers seven days of paid sick leave per year, addressing a chief concern unions and progressives had with the agreement.
PHOTO courtesy of BNSF Railway.
