Biden Administration sidesteps nationwide railroad worker strike with creation of emergency board
The creation of the Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) comes on the heels of approximately 115,000 railroad workers across the nation threatening a full-scale strike. President Biden’s move is meant to better mediate the situation between North America’s oldest railroad union - The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen - and the nation’s largest railroad companies. There have been ongoing contract negotiations since 2011 - over a decade - but no resolution.
Pandemic-related issues in the economy have created a highly profitable industry in the railroads. Rail workers were essential operations, and forced to work in the early days of the pandemic when many others were sent home. The workers are now looking for returns on what was demanded of them during the toughest of times.
The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) has issued a 72-hour strike notice to Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), planning to strike on August 22 if no labor agreement is reached.