Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: The missile force carried out a major operation using the Palestine 2 ballistic hypersonic missile, hitting several targets in occupied Yafa.
Sirens sound in large areas of occupied Palestine after a missile launch from Yemen was detected
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 14 martyrs arrive at al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli massacre of al-Sultan Family north of Gaza.

US rail labor union votes against contract, strike looms

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 21 Nov 2022 20:42
3 Min Read

US rail labor unions strike down a contract reached with their employers, giving rise to concerns about an imminent strike.

  • x
  • Workers service the tracks at the Metra/BNSF railroad yard in Chicago (Getty Images)
    Workers service the tracks at the Metra/BNSF railroad yard in Chicago (Getty Images)

The largest rail union in the United States voted against a provisional September contract deal reached, meaning a strike is more likely to take place in the coming weeks, severely damaging the US economy.

Train and engine service members of the transportation divisions of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART-TD) voted with a slight majority to reject the deal.

Meanwhile, members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) voted in favor of ratifying the agreement, with SMART-TD yardmasters voting in favor of ratifying their national agreement, the unions said on Monday.

Congress could be pressured to intervene and find a solution to the problem after the two largest unions representing train conductors and engineers could not agree on the agreement as the prospect of a strike ahead of the holiday season looms.

The National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC) representing the nation's freight railroads in talks said the threat of an impending strike would require freight railroads and passenger carriers to "soon being to take responsible steps to safely secure the network in advance of any deadline."

In the meantime, the railroads did not at all signal any leniency in terms of holding talks, raising the prospect of Congress needing to intervene "to prevent disruption of the national rail system."

Union workers going head to head with their employers, demanding better working conditions and better pay, caused a disruption in the supply chain of fertilizers after hazardous materials, such as those used in fertilizer manufacturing, and disrupted US passenger railroad Amtrak service in September amid concerns about railroads stopping at any time.

Related News

US, China to resume talks in Madrid; tariffs, TikTok on agenda

China warns Philippines against provocations in South China Sea

Simultaneously, there is much distress in the US about vital shipments of food and fuel not reaching their destinations because of a strike.

Starting December 9, without intervention from Congress, SMART-TD will be allowed to strike, or the rail carriers would be allowed to lock out workers.

If any of the unions that voted against the deal organize a strike, BLET and other rail unions that ratified the agreement pledged to honor picket lines - the boundaries drawn up by striking workers.

The Biden administration helped avert a service cut-off by hosting last-minute contract talks in September at the Labor Department, which eventually led to the aforementioned deal.

The US Chamber of Commerce said last week that stepping in and preventing a potential rail disruption.

It is worth noting that a shutdown could freeze around 30% of US shipments by weight, stoking inflation, draining $2 billion out of the US economy daily, and causing many crises within the US transport sector, which would subsequently strike the US energy, agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail sectors.

The narrowly struck-down deal included a 24% compounded wage increase from 2929 through 2024, in addition to five $1,000 lump sum payments.

The unions have been highly vocal about the companies' sick leave and attendance policies, as well as the lack of paid sick days for short-term illnesses.

  • United States
  • Congress
  • railway
  • white house

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Israeli police and rescue teams respond at the scene of a shooting attack where several people killed and injured in Jerusalem, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 (AP)

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

  • Politics
  • 8 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

Pro-'Israel' far-right Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
People protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, on Friday, September 27, 2024 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' stops unfunded diplomacy ahead of UN, October 7 memorial

An Israeli Air Force fighter jet releases flares over the Gaza Strip, is seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

OIC summit draft: Israeli attack on Qatar risks normalization

People shout slogans and hold Palestinian flags while protesting during the twenty-first stage of La Vuelta cycling race from Alalpardo to Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP)
Sports

Pro-Palestine protests force abrupt end to Vuelta a España finale

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime faces growing isolation over Qatar strike: Reports

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS