Aerial view of shipping containers and freight trains at the BNSF Los Angeles Multimodal Facility rail yard in Los Angeles, California, September 15, 2022.
Bangguan | Reuters
SMART-TD, one of the largest rail labor unions, has voted to reject a tentative agreement with the railway management board, raising the possibility of a strike in December. BLT, the union. The other largest, representing engineers, voted to approve the labor agreement but said it would respect the fence.
“We have stood shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters in SMART-TD and others in the rail labor sector throughout this process, and we will continue to stand in solidarity with them as we move closer. to the finish line in this round of negotiations,” said BLT President Dennis.
BMWED, which represents the Brotherhood of Employee Maintenance, is scheduled to go on strike on December 5 along with the Brotherhood of Railway Signalers (BRS). But BMWED has vowed to extend the break if one of the larger unions votes not to ratify the proposed labor agreement. BRS has not indicated whether it will expand limit line for talks.
SMART-TD, BMWED, AND BRS account for more than 50% of total rail employment.
BMWED AND BRS have another round of talks with rail carriers Monday afternoon over federal sick pay.
During the review of the proposed deal, Pierce and SMART-TD president Jeremy Ferguson traveled the country together and organized general town hall to explain the agreement to union members. Both federations recorded record turnout as a result of the president’s meetings with members.
BLT, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, represents approximately 24,000 professional locomotive engineers and trainers across the United States. BLT is a founding member of the Rail Conference, International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
The majority of members of the SMART Transportation Division are drivers – who split with other members of the union in the vote – but unions also represent brakemen, workers yard, engine service staff and yard manager, who are voting on a separate contract. SMART-TD has a total of 36,000 members. In order to ratify the proposed agreement, each of those respective union groups must individually agree to the agreement.
Economic impact of the national rail strike
The American Chemistry Council, which represents companies including 3M, Dow, dupont, BPExxon Mobil and Eli Lillysaid a rail strike would affect about $2.8 billion in chemical goods per week, while also leading to a new decline in GDP and inflation.
“AAR data shows there was a drop of 1,975 chemical wagons in the week of September 10 as rail lines stopped accepting shipments due to the risk of a strike,” said Jeff Sloan, senior director about the ACC’s transportation policy, said. recently told CNBC. “We expect a similarly significant drop in chemical shipments if an embargo takes place this month.”
Other industries, from agriculture to retail, have warned of the economic risks of a strike. Estimated railway industry impact of a strike at $2 billion everyday. A strike would affect all major rail operators, including Pacific Alliance, South Norfolk and csx.
ups, rails’ largest customer, said in a statement from a spokesperson that it has capabilities to help manage the situation if no agreement is reached, including a flexible and integrated smart logistics network. “Our network planning tools also enable extensive coordination between UPS facilities around the world, including pre-routing packages to alternative lanes to minimize unwanted disruption for our customers.”
Based on the September strike preparation guidelines, if the BRS upholds the strike date of December 5, then strike preparations are expected to begin on November 28, the date the Senate returns. after Thanksgiving break. The house is back on the hill on November 29.
