President Biden Signs Legislation Averting Rail Strike

December 2, 2022 | President Biden this morning signed Congress’ legislation into law that forced a labor agreement and avoided a nationwide rail strike.

“A national rail strike would not only have prevented the movement of goods throughout the country, but it would also hike up already inflated prices for the American consumer during the peak holiday shopping season, among other consequences,” said Ed Desmond, executive vice president of global government & regulatory affairs at The Toy Association. “The Toy Association commends Congress on quickly passing legislation, and President Biden for signing the bill into law, that would have otherwise had a devastating impact on the economy.”

Congress was able to intervene under the Railroad Labor Act, implementing the labor agreement between unionized workers and the railroads that was reached in September.

H.J.Res.100, which was introduced by the House Transportation Infrastructure Committee and overwhelmingly passed on November 30, was approved by the Senate yesterday in a 80-15 vote. The bill states that there is a “national interest, including the national health and defense, that essential transportation services be maintained.”

President Biden previously stated that he is a “proud pro-labor President” and is “reluctant to override the ratification procedures and the views of those who voted against the agreement,” but called on Congress to step in to prevent the threat of a major economic disruption.