The House of Representatives voted 290-137 Wednesday afternoon to intervene on the potential rail union strike. They also voted 221-207 on an additional resolution that would guarantee seven days of paid sick leave for rail workers.
All Democratic House members voted yes on this resolution, and three Republicans, Don Bacon (Nebraska), Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania), and John Katko (New York) voted aye. The bill will now go to the Senate, where some lawmakers say they demand such legislation guarantees paid sick leave.
In September, the White House Presidential Emergency Board stepped in to broker an agreement between these unions and rail employers. The tentative agreement would give rail workers a 24% wage increase by 2024, the biggest wage increase in decades.
The Senate is next on the road for the railroad contract legislation, but has major issues with Independent Senator Burnie Sanders (Vermont, who often leans Democrat) and Senator Elisabeth Warren (Massachusetts). Both want to ensure the additional seven days of sick leave, half of the 2 weeks union members pressed for, are in the Senate bill.
This is a developing situation and Back The Truck Up will update as new information is made available.
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