The all -member salary increase of 14%, stop "007" ... Otherwise, "strike at a time in 30 years"

In the United States, a national railway strike with a "30 years" and the economic turmoil caused by this is getting closer to reality.

This strike that has been treated with workers has been brewing for a long time. In July of this year, due to the intervention of President Biden, both parties to the union and railway system entered the "calm period" of 60 days. However, the early morning period of this Friday (16th) is approaching, and the negotiations between the two major unions of railway transportation with the largest power of the power have not yet made progress.

The U.S. Railway Association (AAR) warned that once the strike occurred, nearly 30%of the domestic railway system in the United States would fall into a pause, and the economic loss caused by each day may be more than 2 billion U.S. dollars, and further caused the shortage of retail products and the large -scale shutdown of the manufacturing industry to stop working in work. And unemployment. Although some analysts believe that the loss brought by the big strike may be maintained at the beginning of tens of millions of dollars per day, as the number of strikes increases, damage to the US economy will "increase geometrically."

This is undoubtedly worse for the United States with high inflation. Because the service may be affected, three long -distance freight lines have been canceled in advance.

It is less than 2 months before the midterm election, which also brings difficulties to Biden. On the one hand, Biden, known as the "AMTRAK JOE" (AMTrak Joe ", has always had a special complex for the US railway industry and has also vowed to become" the president of the most supporting union in American history "; on the other hand, the strike brought about it. The supply chain and economic issues may cause a fatal blow to the Democratic election.

Biden has no power to stop strike again. The outside world can only hope that Congress will pass relevant legislation to postpone or terminate strikes. The Democratic Party does not rule out this possibility. There are also White House officials that Biden is also putting pressure on labor and capital representatives. However, the union requires officials to be out of trouble, saying that strike is the only way to improve the work system.

A BNSF train. Image source: CNBC

Not a matter of money

The last American railway strike broke out in 1992. According to the Los Angeles Times at the time, the old Bush administration was expected to cause a $ 1 billion losses to the US economy daily. The strike last 3 days.

Since the end of 2019, the main railway companies such as the North Berlidon Santa Favori Railway (BNSF), CSX Transportation, Union Pacific RailRead (hereinafter referred to The union was negotiated on the contract from 2020-2024, but the two parties have not been able to reach an agreement on the issue of attendance policies and personnel equipment.

In July of this year, more than 99.5%of members of the trainee engineer and trainer's brothers (BLET) who participated in the negotiations voted for strikes. In order to avoid railway shutdown, Biden had to sign an administrative order and appoint a presidential emergency affairs committee (PEB ) Interference in labor negotiations.

PEB proposes to increase the salary of 14%of the 115,000 railway union members, including the salary increase since 2020 within the period of the contract, and the salary of 24%within the next five -year contract period (that is, 2024), and the salary will be increased by 24%, and and the wages will be increased by 24%. Provide workers with a $ 5,000 annual bonus. The U.S. Railway Association (AAR) said that this is the largest salary increase in the past 40 years.

According to the US Television News Network (CNN) on the 13th, most of the 12 unions have been close to reaching preliminary agreements with railway companies, but representing engineers and train captains, two most important roles to railway transportation- — The two unions, locomotive engineers and train brothers (BLET) and international sheet metal, aviation, railway and transport workers' Federation of Transportation (Smart-TD) are still dissatisfied with some of the terms "Half of the Mountains" of the union members. The union that has reached a preliminary agreement will also refuse to work unless the agreement is recognized by the entire labor group.

These two unions emphasize that money is not the main reason for strikes, and railway companies' dispatching issues on workers are still the main obstacles to reaching an agreement.

The union stated that the current engineer and the personnel of the ticket salesperson must be called for 7 days a week. Even if there is no work arrangement, they have to wait for the dispatch, which makes them unbearable, and other preliminary reconciliation has been accepted. The union members do not have this problem.

The Washington Post pointed out that, as the two largest railway companies in the western United States, BNSF and Liantai Railway implemented points systems in attendance policies. If you absent from certain days of influencing, or take leave in advance to see a doctor, workers will be deducted half or more points; once the points are used, even if the emergency is needed, the workers will be fired. Since the policy has withdrawn from the policy in February this year, BNSF has resigned more than 700 employees.

BLET said that the union has made some concessions, including giving up the requirements of paid disease leave, but without a fixed rest day, workers should not worry about seeing a doctor to smash their rice bowls.

"Ordinary Americans will not know that we are fired because of going to see a doctor. This is the most angry that our members are most angry. Some of us are punished because of heart attack and cold. This is inhumane." Pierce said. Jared Cassity, director of SMART-TD national legislature, also said that the lifestyle of this part of the workers is "definitely cruel" and "work because I can't rest for a day."

However, the demands of workers in terms of sick leave policy have not been included in the PEB solution, and railway companies also refuse to compromise on the grounds of this. The US Railway Association representing the railway company said that the changes of these systems should be "dealt with locally" instead of being resolved through national negotiations.

At the same time, BNSF responded to American consumers and business channels (CNBC) that the statement of lack of rest is "absolutely wrong."

"Generally speaking, train staff have more than three to four weeks of paid holidays and personal holidays for more than 10 days. Depending on the business and qualifications, these numbers can be extended to five weeks. In addition, there are 14 days, 14 days Payment holiday/holiday. The number of personal holidays has increased by 25%this year, which makes it easier for employees to take vacations. "

The Liantai Railway stated to CNBC that it will "continue to promote the rapid solution and provide employees with historic wage growth." The company supplemented it later that it was actively discussed with the union on vacation.

According to CNN, railway companies have previously mentioned their salary on labor disputes, and their average income (including wages and benefits) reached $ 122,000 per year. However, CNN pointed out that the railway company itself has also made a lot of money. Several companies including BNSF and Lianfeng Railway have reported their record revenue.

At present, the negotiations between the two parties are still in progress. CNN quoted people familiar with the plan that if the agreement was not reached before the end of local time, the heads and negotiator of the three parties would meet with the US Minister of Labor Walsh in Washington earlier on Wednesday.

An economic disaster: The US economy loses daily losses or more than $ 2 billion

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Chairman Suzanne Clark believes that the strike of railway workers in the United States will lead to "a economic disaster": "The flow of goods will be frozen, shelves will be empty, the workplace will be closed, and families and business will face The problem of surge in price -but this may happen in less than four days. "Lee Sanders, vice president of government relations and public relations of the American Baking Association, warned that even if the railway was only blocked by the railway, it would be briefly blocked. "The consequences of destruction" to the fragile supply chain of the United States.

The U.S. Railway Association predicts that the major railway strikes across the United States will lead to more than 7,000 trains to suspend, affecting railway sections of 34,000 kilometers, causing the US economy to lose more than $ 2 billion daily, and triggers retail products, manufacturing, manufacturing The industry has stopped working and unemployed.

About 30%of goods need to be transported by railway. Once this supply chain is disturbed, its impact will soon penetrate all aspects.

First of all, the US domestic energy costs will be further pushed up. After the freight railway is suspended, the supply of coal, ore, oil, etc. will be affected. Power plants, refineries, etc. cannot complete the task according to quantity, and may end the United States for three consecutive months of oil prices.

Secondly, US food supply is likely to be disturbed. Not only the recent harvested crops cannot be shipped to the food processing plant, the fertilizer supply required for fertilization in autumn will also be hindered.

About 40%of the US fertilizer supply must be transported to the farm through railway transportation. If farmers cannot receive chemical fertilizers in time, the output of crops will decrease, and food prices will rise, further exacerbating inflation. At the same time, the lag of transportation will also cause the grain storage facilities to pressure, resulting in a large amount of crops deteriorated, and it will also raise food prices. Max Fisher, chief economist of the National Grain and Feed Association, said that this is a "double blow" at the same time that it also combines the starting point and end of the food supply chain.

Other retail consumer goods, car trucks, textiles, etc. are also the same.

In fact, before the strike begins, the potential impact has emerged.

Justin Louchheim, the senior government affairs director of the American Institute of Fertilizer, revealed to Reuters that most major US railways have stopped receiving new ammonia fertilizer and other potential dangerous materials. Fisher said that railway customers reported that at least one railway would stop receiving grain transportation on Thursday morning.

Meitie also announced earlier that three long -distance routes will be canceled from the 13th, namely Chicago's routes to Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco. According to US -Railway, although it does not involve this labor dispute, because these routes pass through the freight section, the service may be blocked, and the affected passengers can change the itinerary for free.

"The Domino is already in place." John Haber, chief strategist at the supply chain consulting company "Transportation Insight", pointed out that in the past few days, many large retailers are transferring inventory to "supply and in short supply. "The truck transportation department has caused tremendous pressure. Retailers who have been dealing with inflation, excess inventory, and bottlenecks of supply chain are now preparing to deal with additional costs that will eventually penetrate into consumers. Patrick Anderson, the founder of Anderson Economic Group, believes that the losses given by the US Railway Association are estimated to be "seriously exaggerated". At first The entire US economy.

"The cost will increase with the length of the strike duration. After a week, you will see the real damage of the US economy." He added that if the strike reaches the critical point of a week, "we entered entering Unknown fields.

Will Congress intervene?

At this time, there are less than two months before the midterm election, which also brings difficulties to the Bayeng government. Is it to maintain the national economy, or to keep the commitment to defend the rights of labor? Any Biden's decision will be placed under the magnifying glass.

When Biden served as a senator of parliament, he took a train between Tellahua and Washington Special Economic Zone for many years. Therefore, he also won the nickname of "AMTrak Joe". It can be said that he has a US railway railway Special complex. Biden has also promised that it will become "the most aggressive workers in the history of the United States, the most supported by the union, and the most supporting workers." On the other hand, the supply chain and economic issues brought by strikes may cause a fatal blow to the Democratic party election.

After the 60 -day "calm period", Biden will have no power to stop strike again. The outside world can only hope that Congress will pass the relevant legislation to postpone or terminate the strike. At the moment, the Biden government is still doing the last effort.

According to Bloomberg officials quoted the White House officials, on the 12th, Bayeng made it clear to the labor representatives that the shutdown of the freight railway system was not an acceptable economic option. Reuters also quoted a White House official that on the 12th, Biden had negotiated with the cabinet officials on the 12th, hoping to avoid strikes and had instructed PEB to break the deadlock. The U.S. Department of Labor also stated that Biden Cabinet officials had called more than a dozen phone calls, hoping to help reach a consensus.

White House officials revealed that the White House assistant and cabinet officials have reviewed emergency plans to deal with strikes on the 13th to study how to use highways, ports and waterways to offset any losses caused by the road. At the same time chat. Government officials have also discussed which emergency power can be used to ensure the supply of basic materials such as food, energy and health -related products.

An official of the White House said Biden heard a report on the matter on the morning of the 13th.

In addition, it is reported that the government has conducted regular contact with Berkshire Hathaway Energy CEO Greg Abel, trying to find a solution at the same time. BNSF is the business of Berkshire Hathaway.

Steny Hoyer, the leader of the House of Representatives, previously stated that Congress can take legislative operations to avoid strikes that may cause the interruption of freight railway operations in the United States. "If they fail to reach an agreement, Congress can play a role. If we need it, we can pass the relevant legislation."

Richard Burr of North Carolina, Richard Burr, and Roger Wicker, Republican Senator of Mississippi, also said that they are preparing to legislate to forcibly sign contracts to the two major unions to force them to stay in their jobs.

According to US federal law, Congress has the right to postpone or terminate the operation of the railway. In 1986, the U.S. Congress will extend the rules for suspension of railways for 60 days, and continue to negotiate with the Central Railway Alliance of Maine. In 1991, the US House of Representatives passed a joint resolution that ended within 24 hours of the national railway strike. At that time, the House of Representatives voted for 400 votes and 5 votes opposed.

In 1991, Congress strongly prevented the strike reports. Picture source: New York Times

According to the Associated Press report last week, Anthony Hatch, an independent railway analyst, believes that it adheres to the interests of the union at the last moment, but the strike will not happen in the end. Even if it happens, it will not last. A few hours, but a few minutes ", because Congress will quickly intervene.

It is worth noting that the two "hard nails" unions this time are key supporters of the Democratic Party. It has been urged to invite officials not to intervene before. They believe that strike is the only way to improve this unacceptable work system. Pierce revealed that they had passed the message to the allies in Congress.

"(Bayeng Government) The most important thing they don't want to see now is that such key departments have conducted large -scale strikes." Dean Baker, co -founder of Washington Liberal Think Tank Economic and Policy Research Center, said, "I think Bayeng will be very" Work hard to promote the reaching agreement. The important question is how he faces the railway workers. "

Richard Durbin, the Democratic Party's leadership in the Senate leadership, told CNN that Democrats were not rushing to take action before the last period to prevent strikes."I think we are unlikely to intervene," said Dubin, avoiding the strike "depends on whether all parties to the negotiations can come forward."

Source: Observer.com

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