The U.S. Senate moved quickly yesterday to avert a rail strike that the Biden administration and business leaders warned would have had devastating consequences for the nation\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n
The Senate passed a bill to bind rail companies and workers to a proposed settlement that was reached between the rail companies and union leaders in September. That settlement had been rejected by some of the 12 unions involved, creating the possibility of a strike beginning December 9.<\/p>\n
The Senate vote came one day after the House voted to impose the agreement. The measure now goes to President Joe Biden\u2019s desk for his signature.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very glad that the two sides got together to avoid a shutdown, which would have been devastating for the American people, to the American economy and so many workers across the country,\u201d Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters.<\/p>\n
Schumer spoke as Labor Secretary Marty Walsh and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized to Democratic senators that rail companies would begin shutting down operations well before a potential strike would begin. The administration wanted the bill on Biden\u2019s desk by the weekend.<\/p>\n