Railroad strike grows more likely as second major union rejects Biden-brokered deal
A second railroad union has voted against the agreement President Joe Biden helped broker between railroad carriers and the unions representing rail workers in September, thus increasing the likelihood of a railroad strike.
The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen represents workers who install and maintain signal systems for railroad carriers.
Of the more than 6,000 members, 4,639 people voted; 2,810 (61%) voted against the deal, and 1,820 (39%) voted to approve it.
Of the 12 railroad unions, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen is the second major railroad union to vote down the deal. Earlier this month, the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced its members voted against the deal.
Six unions have approved the Biden-brokered agreement.
The largest unions — the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and SMART Transportation Division — haven’t yet voted.
The tentative agreement in September was hailed as an accomplishment that avoided an economically catastrophic rail strike, but now that rank-and-file members have seen the deal and are voting on it, a strike is back on the table. They argue the agreement doesn’t address their primary concern: quality of life for railroad workers.
The agreement provides one additional personal leave day. It also allows members to attend three annual routine or preventive health care visits. However, those appointments must be scheduled at least 30 days in advance, and must take place on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
