Railroad union megathread

[wbrocks67]

Thank you Amtrak Joe!

[Aurelius]

As far as I can tell, the carriers are behaving in a hubristic manner, treating conductors like they're non-union Amazon employees because the federal government has the right to stop railroad strikes. This has happened time and time again over the past few decades, sending carriers the message that they don't need to make any concessions when contracts are negotiated.

This is why conductors face a scheduling policy that's so draconian that you would mistake it for the attendance policy at an Amazon FC. In a de-facto sense, these workers are non-union because their union is totally emasculated, has no ability to strike, so management does whatever they want. On top of this, every carrier has a policy that workers cannot speak to media outlets on the record without facing severe sanctions.

A prolonged railroad strike would cripple the United States, possibly having reverberations around the world, but, sadly, I think it's necessary if companies won't budge. We can't live in a country where we allow companies to treat workers like this. We can't treat engineers and conductors like serfs.

I don't understand why the only alternative to the companies' early acquiescence is a prolonged a strike that "cripples the United States". Why can't Congress intervene and force the companies to give in?

They can, thanks to the Railroad Labor Act. But good luck actually getting anything through Congress (and not just the senate - good luck getting AOC and Gottheimer to agree on this).

[Koharu]

The median income of railroad workers is 65k :

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/railroad-occupations.htm

https://twitter.com/BroadwayNPO/status/1569898379760795651

[Ferguson97]

Well, I'd like to see ol Dark Brandon wriggle his way out of THIS jam!

*Dark Brandon wriggles his way out of the jam easily

Ah! Well. Nevertheless,

[Sestak]

From what I am seeing, there is a lot of fairly vague language regarding the paid leave portions of the agreement outlines. Specifics of those provisions may be huge as to whether or not union membership ratifies this.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

Well, I'd like to see ol Dark Brandon wriggle his way out of THIS jam!

*Dark Brandon wriggles his way out of the jam easily

Ah! Well. Nevertheless,

"Let's move on to hate trans people!"

[WV222]

I am hearing the deal is already unpopular within the rank-and-file? Maybe strike just delayed?

[GP270watch]

 Biden is the best labor President in some time. Of course that's not saying much given the low bar and hostility towards labor from all Republicans and even some Democrats.

[It’s so Joever]

I am hearing the deal is already unpopular within the rank-and-file? Maybe strike just delayed?

Interesting, have a source for this, even an unreliable one?

[Lief 🗽]

Every day Brandon grows more and more powerful.
https://twitter.com/potus/status/1570440907710930944?s=21&t=gfMawjgdn4JB7HFg...

[The Dowager Mod]

The Railroads made record profits last year, this was all about screwing the workers for even bigger profits.

[Dr Oz Lost Party!]

At this point, Biden has definitely earned a second term in office. I just wish he was 10-20 years younger.

[emailking]

What a great job by President Biden in averting a strike!

[Beet]

As far as I can tell, the carriers are behaving in a hubristic manner, treating conductors like they're non-union Amazon employees because the federal government has the right to stop railroad strikes. This has happened time and time again over the past few decades, sending carriers the message that they don't need to make any concessions when contracts are negotiated.

This is why conductors face a scheduling policy that's so draconian that you would mistake it for the attendance policy at an Amazon FC. In a de-facto sense, these workers are non-union because their union is totally emasculated, has no ability to strike, so management does whatever they want. On top of this, every carrier has a policy that workers cannot speak to media outlets on the record without facing severe sanctions.

A prolonged railroad strike would cripple the United States, possibly having reverberations around the world, but, sadly, I think it's necessary if companies won't budge. We can't live in a country where we allow companies to treat workers like this. We can't treat engineers and conductors like serfs.

I don't understand why the only alternative to the companies' early acquiescence is a prolonged a strike that "cripples the United States". Why can't Congress intervene and force the companies to give in?

They can, thanks to the Railroad Labor Act. But good luck actually getting anything through Congress (and not just the senate - good luck getting AOC and Gottheimer to agree on this).

Plenty of stuff has gotten through Congress, including stuff that has very little positive impact on the vast majority of people. If they can't agree on fair labor rules for an area of critical importance to the economy and people they are supposed to represent, that's on them.

[7,052,770]

Almost tired of winning, but not there yet. Still hungry to win in November!

[It’s so Joever]

Almost tired of winning, but not there yet. Still hungry to win in November!

Well then I guess you’ll be starving the day after.

[7,052,770]

Almost tired of winning, but not there yet. Still hungry to win in November!

Well then I guess you’ll be starving the day after.

I mean, we'll see, but every week that goes by looks better and better for us.

[Tekken_Guy]

Any deal still would have to be approved, no? I'll hope for the best but hold off on celebrating. There'll be pushback from people who believe it isn't enough, and there'll certainly be the usual suspects hoping to increase the likelihood of a no vote before the election.

Does this mean a strike will still happen?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

So much winning! We're going to get tired of winning with Dark Brandon!

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Does anyone actually believe this would have been averted under Trump?

[Aurelius]

Does anyone actually believe this would have been averted under Trump?

I mean, I think Trump would have defaulted to bashing skulls, particularly as inflation would probably be worse with economic leadership chosen by the spoils system. It wouldn't avert the problem or the eventuality of workers collapsing on the job or mass quitting leaving the rails unable to function, but it'd be enough for his ghouls to say problem solved.

My dude, the proximate reason for the past year's inflation was Biden's American Rescue Plan. Trump would probably engage in some pointless and stupid money printing to buy votes, but not nearly to the extent that Biden and the Dems have done since taking office.

[7,052,770]

Does anyone actually believe this would have been averted under Trump?

I mean, I think Trump would have defaulted to bashing skulls, particularly as inflation would probably be worse with economic leadership chosen by the spoils system. It wouldn't avert the problem or the eventuality of workers collapsing on the job or mass quitting leaving the rails unable to function, but it'd be enough for his ghouls to say problem solved.

My dude, the proximate reason for the past year's inflation was Biden's American Rescue Plan. Trump would probably engage in some pointless and stupid money printing to buy votes, but not nearly to the extent that Biden and the Dems have done since taking office.

Joe Biden is personally responsible for the inflation that's happening all over the developed world, people!!!1

[It’s so Joever]

Almost tired of winning, but not there yet. Still hungry to win in November!

Well then I guess you’ll be starving the day after.

I mean, we'll see, but every week that goes by looks better and better for us.

What reality are you living in?! How can you be optimistic now?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Does anyone actually believe this would have been averted under Trump?

I mean, I think Trump would have defaulted to bashing skulls, particularly as inflation would probably be worse with economic leadership chosen by the spoils system. It wouldn't avert the problem or the eventuality of workers collapsing on the job or mass quitting leaving the rails unable to function, but it'd be enough for his ghouls to say problem solved.

My dude, the proximate reason for the past year's inflation was Biden's American Rescue Plan. Trump would probably engage in some pointless and stupid money printing to buy votes, but not nearly to the extent that Biden and the Dems have done since taking office.

Inflation is worse in Europe.

[7,052,770]

Almost tired of winning, but not there yet. Still hungry to win in November!

Well then I guess you’ll be starving the day after.

I mean, we'll see, but every week that goes by looks better and better for us.

What reality are you living in?! How can you be optimistic now?

The reality where all of the models (538, DDHQ, Economist, etc.) show Democratic chances in both Houses improving week after week?

If it still isn't good enough, so be it, but clearly things are looking much better for Democrats today than they did in the early summer.