Major Union Rejects Rail Labor Contract, Rail Strike Possible as Early as December 5
On November 21, one of the two biggest rail unions, the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD), rejected the tentative rail labor contract. To date, 8 of 12 rail unions have ratified the contract and four unions have rejected the contract. The cooling off period for the unions who rejected the contract ends December 8, which means a rail strike or lockout could occur as early as December 9. Meanwhile, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) found that a rail strike could devastate the U.S. economy, with 700,000 jobs lost, a 4% increase in inflation, and a possible recession. Approximately 25% of our industry’s product moves by rail. TGA continues to urge Congress to step in to prevent a strike. Please urge your friends, staff, co-workers, and family to send letters to Congress to prevent a rail strike. It only takes a minute.