Earlier this month, in order to avert a potential rail strike, the U.S. Senate voted to force railway unions to accept a tentative agreement. It was a deal that did not include the desired amount of paid sick leave, offering only one day of leave instead of the seven days rail unions were advocating for. President Joe Biden then signed the bill.
In doing so, Congress and President Biden sided with management and rail executives.
President Biden used his executive authority to settle a dispute, forcing railway workers to work through severe illness and family emergencies, as opposed to supporting pro-worker policies like paid sick leave. Now, we’re calling on him to use that same authority to undo the massive injustice this decision has caused for railway workers and the labor movement writ large.
No American industry should rely on abuse and exploitation to exist.
Sign the petition to President Biden: Extend paid sick leave to railway workers
Railway workers commonly work 80-plus hours a week and are away from home for 120-plus hours due to travel. Freight rail operators often work 12-hour shifts, or longer, with no sick time or leave for medical issues or family emergencies. During tense negotiations this year, the big rail companies refused to concede to the demand for paid sick leave—because they knew Congress would intervene should a rail worker strike take place. And that is exactly what happened.
Activists in support of unionized rail workers protest outside the U.S. Capitol Building on Nov. 29
President Biden has the authority to extend paid sick leave to railway workers. President Barack Obama previously signed an executive order requiring at least seven days of paid leave for federal contractors, but the order excluded railway workers. Biden’s authority is there, and he must exercise it.
Only money-hungry corporate executives profit when the global supply chain fails. U.S. railway workers keep our supply chain going and are fighting to ensure its survival for years to come. Show your solidarity with railway workers by telling President Biden to extend paid leave to railway workers!
Support the real people who keep our supply chain working: Tell President Biden that railway workers deserve paid sick days!
