Is a railway strike on the horizon?
A BNSF rail terminal worker monitors the departure of a freight train, on June 15, 2021, in Galesburg, Ill. The special board appointed by President Joe Biden to intervene in the stalled railroad contract talks submitted its recommendations to the White House, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, on how to settle the deal that covers 115,000 rail workers and avert a strike, but the details of what those arbitrators suggested weren't immediately available. AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar, File
It’s been 30 years since the last nationwide rail shutdown. But with more than 100,000 U.S. freight rail workers mobilizing, another strike might be on the horizon. They have been without a contract since negotiations between the 12 rail unions and the major rail companies began in January 2020. In July, President Joe Biden stepped in to appoint a third party, known as the Presidential Emergency Board, to examine the dispute and provide non-binding recommendations. Those were released yesterday, August 16.
To discuss what’s motivating the unions, stalling the negotiations, and framing this labor fight – and perhaps the path forward, The 21st was joined by labor historian Jeff Schuhrke.
Guest:
Jeff Schuhrke, Ph.D.
Visiting Lecturer and Labor Historian, Dept. of History, University of Illinois at Chicago