The text, adopted in the afternoon in the Senate, imposes a branch agreement on the profession, despite the fact that it has not been approved by all the unions.

Faced with the prospect of a strike starting on December 9, US President Joe Biden, a big supporter of rail transport, had demanded that Congress pass legislation into force, which he is empowered to do under a law of 1926. The branch agreement had already been adopted on Wednesday in the House of Representatives.

The Democratic leader, who never misses an opportunity to affirm his support for the unions in general, considered the current situation too perilous: a freight strike would have cut American economic activity by two billion dollars a day, according to an estimate from the American Railroad Association.

Rail Paralysis

Because in the United States, about 28% of the goods transported are by rail.

A strike would also have had a significant impact on passenger transport, since most passenger trains run on tracks owned by freight companies.

The prospect of a U.S. rail paralysis also presented a major political risk for President Joe Biden, as inflation remains high and the U.S. economy already shows signs of slowing.

But by forcing the adoption of the collective agreement and bypassing social dialogue, the head of state exposed himself to criticism from unions and the left wing of his majority.

US President Joe Biden at a press conference in Washington, December 1, 2022 © Ludovic MARIN / AFP

“There is no clearer example of corporate greed than what we see in the railroad industry today,” said progressive Senator Bernie Sanders.

Joe Biden defended himself from all criticism during a press conference on Thursday, assuring that he had managed "to negotiate a contract that no one else could have negotiated".

The text provides for a salary increase of 24% over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024 (with retroactive effect).

Sick leave

This strike threat originated in a complex negotiation process, involving 12 unions and their employers, and in which Joe Biden had put all his political weight.

Among the issues that crystallized the dissatisfaction of many employees in the sector: sick leave, some companies do not grant any in the state.

Railway workers at Washington station, September 15, 2022 © Stefani Reynolds / AFP

In an attempt to resolve this dispute, the Democrats had presented a complementary bill providing for seven days of guaranteed sick leave per year.

But it did not obtain the required 60 votes in the Senate.

“I have been very clear: I will continue to fight for sick leave coverage, not only for railroad workers, but for all American workers,” Joe Biden promised Thursday.

© 2022 AFP