Hundreds of retail, manufacturing, transportation and agricultural groups called on the Biden administration Wednesday to facilitate an agreement between railroads and their unions to prevent the potential shutdown of the nation’s freight rail system.
Over 300 state and national trade associations signed a letter asking the president to help ensure that labour contracts brokered by the administration are now ratified by the parties. The letter comes a day after a second union rejected its agreement over insufficient paid sick leave, reigniting fears of a strike or lockout.
“It is paramount that these contracts now be ratified, as a rail shutdown would have a significant impact on the U.S. economy and lead to further inflationary pressure,” read the letter, signed by groups including the National Retail Federation and the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Read more in an article from Supply Chain Dive.