Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola was among eight Democrats voting against blocking the strike.
Freight train cars sit in a Norfolk Southern rail yard on Sept. 14, 2022, in Atlanta. Business groups pressured lawmakers to intervene and block a railroad strike before next month's deadline in the stalled contract talks.
She said Tuesday she wanted to see paid sick leave for rail workers before she could support the move.Biden on Monday asked Congress to intervene and avert the rail stoppage that could strike a devastating blow to the nation’s fragile economy by disrupting the transportation of fuel, food and other critical goods. Business groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Farm Bureau Federation warned that halting rail service would cause a $2 billion per day hit to the economy.
The call for more paid sick leave was a major sticking point in the talks. The railroads say the unions have agreed in negotiations over the decades to forgo paid sick time in favor of higher wages and strong short-term disability benefits. “Quite frankly, the fact that paid leave is not part of the final agreement between railroads and labor is, in my opinion, obscene,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass. “It should be there and I hope it will be there at the end of this process.”
Republicans also criticized Pelosi’s decision to add the sick leave second bill to the mix. They said the Biden administration’s own special board of arbitrators recommended higher wages to compensate the unions for not including sick time in its recommendations. “Families wouldn’t be able to buy groceries or life-saving medications because it would be even more expensive and perishable goods would spoil before reaching shelves,” Pelosi said.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola ‘currently a no’ on Biden push to block railroad strikeAlaska Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola said she wants to see paid sick leave for rail workers before she could support the Biden administration’s attempts to block a freight rail strike set to begin Dec. 9.
Read more »
Peltola says it's not right to deny sick leave for rail workers“I just don’t think it’s right or fair to expect workers to go to work sick as a dog without being able to have a few days to recover,” said Congresswoman Mary Peltola.
Read more »
Alaska would be insulated from a nationwide railroad strike, officials sayIf a nationwide rail strike takes place this month, the Alaska Railroad will keep moving. But tie-ups in the Lower 48 could disrupt cargo that comes to the state from Washington. (via AlaskaBeacon)
Read more »
Alaska Democrat breaks from Biden's plan to avoid rail strike: Not 'right''I just don't think it's right or fair to expect workers to go to work sick as a dog without being able to have a few days to recover,' Rep. Mary Peltola said.
Read more »
In new bipartisan Alaska Senate majority of 17, members vow compromise and consensusSeventeen of Alaska’s 20 state senators and senator-elects have banded together to form a bipartisan majority coalition that members promise will be moderate and consensus-focused.
Read more »
Alaska Native Tlingit artist collaborates with big brandsAfter years of honing his craft in Alaska Native art, one man is connecting with brand giants such as Vans, Lib Tech Snowboards, Volcom, Smartwool, Yeti, Google and more.
Read more »