Posted on 11/26/2022 3:45:52 PM PST by thegagline
As a possible rail way strike looms, the U.S. industry braces for impact.
One of the biggest rail unions rejected a deal earlier this week failing to approve contracts over concerns about demanding schedules and the lack of paid sick time.
Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) is warning American consumers that it is “highly likely” a strike will happen in the midst of the busy holiday season.
“I think it’s highly likely,” Hagerty said, adding “I mean, you hit the nail on the head. The union bosses basically forced their union members to buck up and accept this deal just to get them through the…midterm elections. But now we’re seeing the reality of it. They only offered one additional work day — one additional sick day, I should say. The unions were asking for 15. That’s a big, big gap. Joe Biden declared victory, again, before the midterm elections. This was all, I think, part of the plan. But what we’re seeing now, the whole thing is coming unraveled and it’s going to be a real crisis, a $2-billion-a-day economic impact if you believe the economists’ estimates. I actually think it could be much greater, because if you look at the knock-on effects on supply chains, it will be significant.”
The strike can start as soon as December 9, and it wouldn’t take long for it to effect the economy.
Hagerty called out President Joe Biden for deceiving the public, saying that he told the nation that he had a plan in place well before the midterm elections.
Meanwhile, United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said the Biden administration is trying to make sure a strike doesn’t happen, saying that there is not enough trucks, barges or ships to make up for the already-suffering railway network. ***
(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...
That’s why the railroads are willing to give big concessions on wages but they really can’t budge on sick time.
[Millions of people voted Dem. They deserve to suffer.]
Unfortunately, they’re taking us poor slobs down with them.
Yep
[saying that he told the nation that he had a plan in place well before the midterm elections.]
Joe lies. Constantly.
Only idiots believe anything he says.
And yes, idiots vote.
Why wouldn’t provisions of the Railway Labor Act come into play, where a strike can be prohibited while mediation, etc takes place?
Excellent points. Anyone research Warren Buffet’s rail position? He bought a lot before pipelines were being shut down. Be telling if he’s made any significant moves in this sector.
It’s kind of a misnomer. They want days to go to appointments.
For the average person, going to the dentist is a couple hours…then back to the office. These folks miss the train and they can’t jump on at the next stop.
It’s a different work structure than most of us.
Now, I am no fan of unions…but it helps to understand what the real issues are.
Sounds like a lack of engineers. Surely coverage for sick day(s) is possible unless they are running skeleton/sub-skeleton crews. Implies administrative mismanagement of the workforce. Seen that more times than can count.
I don’t get to blow the whistle
I don’t get to ring the bell
But-when the train jumps the tracks—
Guess who catches Hell???
I think they run really thin. I was reading some posts on another site. They were from these folks about the issue. While I usually think unions “over reach”, some of the stories about their scheduling and turn around times were horrible. It takes years to get a good gig.
But, that’s been true in union shops forever.
RE: Can’t blow the whistle....
Amazing how no one can verify the source. Some say title was My Job, The Creed of the Brakeman and The Conductor’s Lament.
Most interesting side light: reported as being “seen on the stationmaster’s office wall at Grand Central Station.”
My Uncle who is a yuge Trump fan, was a railroad engineer all of his working years after the Army. Age 90.
My favorite railroad song (now I like Joe Bonamassa version even better than my much loved John Hammond one). Sad poignancy of man helpless to keep his loved woman with him actually connects to the people unable to stop the Swamp government leaders from forcing their policies on us now.
Now that my wife I loved since 1973 passed away the loss in the blues song is even more poignant to me.
So Many Roads
So many roads
So many trains to ride
I’m gonna find my baby
Before I’ll be satisfied
I was standing at my window
When I heard that whistle blow
I was standing at my window
When I heard that whistle blow
I thought it was a straight line
But it was B & O
It was a mean old fireman
And a cruel engineer
It was a mean old fireman
And a cruel engineer
That took my baby
And left me standing here
So many roads
So many trains to ride
So many roads
So many trains to ride
I’m gonna find my baby
Before I’ll be satisfied
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