Senate Votes To Block Rail Strike, No Sick Days In Deal

The Washington Post reports:

The Senate on Thursday adopted a measure that forces a deal between warring national freight railroads and their unions, averting a potential Dec. 9 strike that could have crippled U.S. travel and commerce ahead of the busy holiday shopping season.

The overwhelmingly bipartisan, 80-15 vote sends the measure to President Biden’s desk, as he requested earlier this week — though lawmakers were unable to provide rail workers with any of the paid sick leave benefits that union leaders vigorously sought in recent months.

Under the agreement, rail workers are set to see a roughly 24 percent pay increase by 2024 while gaining more flexibility to take time off for doctor’s appointments. The measure also grants them one paid personal day, though that does not include any new, dedicated time off for illnesses.

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Senate adopts deal to block rail strike, sending it to Biden: though lawmakers were unable to provide rail workers with any of the paid sick leave benefits that union leaders vigorously sought in recent months. https://t.co/xMA9ofyCLL

— Harvey J Kaye (@harveyjkaye) December 1, 2022