Dem-NPL Statement On Tentative Railway Labor Agreement

After nearly 20 hours of in person negotiations at the Department of Labor, rail companies and unions have a tentative agreement, averting a potential railway strike.

President Joe Biden said, “For the American people, the hard work done to reach this tentative agreement means that our economy can avert the significant damage any shutdown would have brought. With unemployment still near record lows and signs of progress in lowering costs, tonight’s agreement allows us to continue to fight for long term economic growth that finally works for working families.”

Democratic-NPL Chair Patrick Hart was glad to see the tentative agreement and remarked,  “We’re very excited to see this agreement. At the peak of harvest, North Dakota farmers rely on rail access to feed the world. These rail workers quite literally keep our country moving forward, and I’m grateful to see their hard work is being recognized with better pay, improved working conditions, and peace of mind around their health care costs.”

“Our country relies on our railroad transportation workers to keep supply chains moving. The hard work and long hours they put in are vital to our nation and our economy. The Dem-NPL is overjoyed to see their work rewarded with a much-deserved wage increase, along with the ability to take sick leave without fear of losing their jobs. We applaud President Biden, the Department of Labor, the rail companies, and the unions for coming together on this important compromise, and averting a shutdown,” added Dem-NPL Executive Director Tyler Hogan.