I think that if in a couple of years the railroads stop working because of a worker shortage, we should all know who is to blame. You can stop workers from striking but you can't prevent them from leaving.
I understand that the railroad workers have some legitimate grievances, and I think Biden is making a bad decision by trying to have Congress put an end to the strike.
The root of the problem is that railroad workers are subject to a completely different system of labor regulations than other workers thanks to outdated pre New Deal laws specifically dealing with railroads. They don’t even have access to workers comp. Only Congress can change that. It should have happened a long time ago.
I’m not saying public image doesn’t matter but it’s not a public sector union. They could be totally underwater in public perception but if the rail companies are losing a shitload of money that public perception isn’t gonna matter all that much
That’s basically it. I don’t think public perception of the railroad unions is generally favorable right now. Their workers are generally higher paid than the median American, they’re pledged a 25% raise over 4 years which most Americans would be very lucky to get, and it essentially looks like they’re backing out of a previously negotiated deal. Nobody wants to go back to COVID like shortages and this would be much worse. I think people arguing this as an easy layup for the Biden administration are right - but the layup is breaking the strike (right or wrong).
This should be an easy layup for a President that prides himself on being pro union. The union employees want paid sick leave and less grueling schedules. The industry is making record profits and could easily afford it. And yet, the fact the railroad executives are all in support of Congress forcing through this deal should tell you everything.
I am 100% with you up to the point of nationalization. Regulation, introduce some new incentive model, break them up into smaller companies, even nationalize the tracks themselves but not the trains, totally. Full nationalization of the industry, nah man.
I don’t like that he’s going to prevent a strike, but not sure what he can realistically do. A strike is pretty much out of the question due to economic consequences and he doesn’t have the senate votes to force the railroads to give them paid sick days. Nationalization would cost minimum a hundred billion which I doubt anyone is interested. As far as I can tell that only leaves a strike ban and business as usual.
you understand the us is not your typical marxist hellhole and nationalizing an entire industry actually means buying out an entire industry right? that's hundreds of billions of dollars.
A railroad strike right as inflation gets under control would be a disaster and both parties know it. However, Congress can't force more sick days on the industry (at least not in time), but can force acceptance of the negotiated deal. A full shutdown of the backbone infrastructure of the country would be politically terrible.
I, an upper middle class office worker, have never felt like I needed a union to represent my interests. So what need do railroad workers have for one?
Biden is a politician, first and foremost. He's also neither stupid nor an ideologue. He understands that paid sick days for rail workers would collapse the entire economy
Railroad workers are subject to completely different and largely outdated labor laws than other workers. Things like getting injured on the job is much more difficult for them than most other people. It is high time we updated it. I really don’t blame them for striking. Congress needs to step in and update the laws for the 21st century.
Many establishment Republicans have come out in opposition to the deal. I don’t know what clearer message the Biden admin needs to get to understand they’re antagonizing labor for no good reason.
I think the message is that Republicans in congress will be political opportunists when it's expedient. I don't believe they'll actually vote to give anyone paid sick leave.
There was this thing called the great depression so they made a law that made a cabinet position called secretary of labor who is supposed to help resolve labor disputes and enforce legal processes for worker representation. It falls under the commerce clause of the constitution.
as we know, forcing the workers to end their strike instead of giving them what they want has never gone poorly nor has it ever radicalised the workers.
The union ultimate grievance is PAID sick leave. They can take sick leave but they won’t get paid for missing days. I see no problem with this seeing how they get a 24% wage raise over four years.
I mean, a lot of people here also seem to think that all railway workers are low paid and on call 24/7 (instead of those being two different classes of workers), so it's clear they don't really know what's going on.
>Inside Biden’s decision to halt a rail strike > >Months of talks have failed to end the impasse between unions and freight railroads. And a GOP-led House looms in January.
My view is that Biden should morally be fighting in favor of the railroad workers. At the very least requiring that ending the rail strike should have required at least 14 paid sick days by Jan. 1st, 2025. If the government has the power to end a strike on the basis of national need, then it also has the power to make business meet the need of the workers.
Anyone notice that busses have become really popular over the past few decades? Maybe because railroads are essentially monopolies. The busses can't replace railroads for freight transport, but they can replace them for passenger transport and they've done a good job at it.
I think that if in a couple of years the railroads stop working because of a worker shortage, we should all know who is to blame. You can stop workers from striking but you can't prevent them from leaving.
If that happens they'll probably just deploy the Army to staff it
Railroad companies gotta invest in automation. Should be fairly easy to automate trains, at least moreso than cars
Workers deserve paid sick leave, Biden and Congress should help them get it.
Dems can’t actually pass laws without Republican senate support
The Republicans would find a way to black the shit out of any attempt to force something that would cost the rich railway owners money via a law
I understand that the railroad workers have some legitimate grievances, and I think Biden is making a bad decision by trying to have Congress put an end to the strike.
The root of the problem is that railroad workers are subject to a completely different system of labor regulations than other workers thanks to outdated pre New Deal laws specifically dealing with railroads. They don’t even have access to workers comp. Only Congress can change that. It should have happened a long time ago.
I think it's better for Biden and Congress to get something done now before Republicans start next session
I think the Railroads assume that if the unions strike, the public will rapidly side with the railroads.
I’m not saying public image doesn’t matter but it’s not a public sector union. They could be totally underwater in public perception but if the rail companies are losing a shitload of money that public perception isn’t gonna matter all that much
That’s basically it. I don’t think public perception of the railroad unions is generally favorable right now. Their workers are generally higher paid than the median American, they’re pledged a 25% raise over 4 years which most Americans would be very lucky to get, and it essentially looks like they’re backing out of a previously negotiated deal. Nobody wants to go back to COVID like shortages and this would be much worse. I think people arguing this as an easy layup for the Biden administration are right - but the layup is breaking the strike (right or wrong).
This should be an easy layup for a President that prides himself on being pro union. The union employees want paid sick leave and less grueling schedules. The industry is making record profits and could easily afford it. And yet, the fact the railroad executives are all in support of Congress forcing through this deal should tell you everything.
Completely agreed on all counts. This should have been a layup.
To be fair to the sub, yesterday it mostly seem to be against it.
I am 100% with you up to the point of nationalization. Regulation, introduce some new incentive model, break them up into smaller companies, even nationalize the tracks themselves but not the trains, totally. Full nationalization of the industry, nah man.
I don’t like that he’s going to prevent a strike, but not sure what he can realistically do. A strike is pretty much out of the question due to economic consequences and he doesn’t have the senate votes to force the railroads to give them paid sick days. Nationalization would cost minimum a hundred billion which I doubt anyone is interested. As far as I can tell that only leaves a strike ban and business as usual.
Nationalization sounds like a terrible idea. Government isn't exactly great at directly running things
you understand the us is not your typical marxist hellhole and nationalizing an entire industry actually means buying out an entire industry right? that's hundreds of billions of dollars.
JUST NATIONALISE THIS
Hear hear
A railroad strike right as inflation gets under control would be a disaster and both parties know it. However, Congress can't force more sick days on the industry (at least not in time), but can force acceptance of the negotiated deal. A full shutdown of the backbone infrastructure of the country would be politically terrible.
Hard disagree on almost all points.
If you think mass shortages of goods will make the working class like Biden and the rail unions more you’re insane
I, an upper middle class office worker, have never felt like I needed a union to represent my interests. So what need do railroad workers have for one?
Biden is a politician, first and foremost. He's also neither stupid nor an ideologue. He understands that paid sick days for rail workers would collapse the entire economy
What? Why?
Railroad workers are subject to completely different and largely outdated labor laws than other workers. Things like getting injured on the job is much more difficult for them than most other people. It is high time we updated it. I really don’t blame them for striking. Congress needs to step in and update the laws for the 21st century.
What a terrible headline.
If labor leaders and business leaders like it, why does congress need to get involved?
It wasn’t approved by the members. This is such misleading bullshit
The workers voted no on the deal he brokered, now he wants to shove it down their throats
Many establishment Republicans have come out in opposition to the deal. I don’t know what clearer message the Biden admin needs to get to understand they’re antagonizing labor for no good reason.
I think the message is that Republicans in congress will be political opportunists when it's expedient. I don't believe they'll actually vote to give anyone paid sick leave.
Which republicans? Was it because it was too generous for them lol
I do not understand the legal issues here and I can't find an article that bothers to explain it.
There was this thing called the great depression so they made a law that made a cabinet position called secretary of labor who is supposed to help resolve labor disputes and enforce legal processes for worker representation. It falls under the commerce clause of the constitution.
as we know, forcing the workers to end their strike instead of giving them what they want has never gone poorly nor has it ever radicalised the workers.
i think the fact that this subreddit has become more labor friendly than joseph robinette biden speaks volumes
This sub is market friendly. Collective bargaining is a solution that can, if handled well, help inefficient labor markets act more efficiently.
Read the article please
Yeah, I get why biden would be so opposed to the national rail strikes in the UK, people just wanna visit their families over the holidays /s
There is no strike
It is not the strike that bends, but only yourself.
Unions good actually.
I’m with Biden here. We cannot afford another hit to the supply chain.
If they’re so essential to the supply chain, then they deserve paid sick leave.
Nationalize rail. It's a natural monopoly, and an integral one at that.
The union ultimate grievance is PAID sick leave. They can take sick leave but they won’t get paid for missing days. I see no problem with this seeing how they get a 24% wage raise over four years.
I mean, a lot of people here also seem to think that all railway workers are low paid and on call 24/7 (instead of those being two different classes of workers), so it's clear they don't really know what's going on.
He won’t veto the hill through right?! Maybe he’s bluffing to get gop support
I hate unions.
just tax the railroad workers lol
Replace everyone who strikes with an undocumented worker
That’d be a good way to turn people against undocumented workers, if that’s your goal.
I too wish to replace critically important skilled labor with undocumented randos.
Biden wants to ride train, is sad.
>Inside Biden’s decision to halt a rail strike > >Months of talks have failed to end the impasse between unions and freight railroads. And a GOP-led House looms in January.
What happened to all the kids who loved trains when they were younger? I feel like there were millions, we should hit them up
if joe Biden was really a labor president, he would not stop the strike!
Why cant Biden call on Congress to force the railroad owners to accept the worker’s deal?
My view is that Biden should morally be fighting in favor of the railroad workers. At the very least requiring that ending the rail strike should have required at least 14 paid sick days by Jan. 1st, 2025. If the government has the power to end a strike on the basis of national need, then it also has the power to make business meet the need of the workers.
Anyone notice that busses have become really popular over the past few decades? Maybe because railroads are essentially monopolies. The busses can't replace railroads for freight transport, but they can replace them for passenger transport and they've done a good job at it.