Get ready for the railroad strike

Several railroad worker unions are preparing to strike on Friday if demands are not addressed.
This is after the end of a 30 day cool off period from the last deadline.

What does this mean for you?

“ Around 40% of the nation’s long-distance trade is moved by rail, more than any other form of transportation. If the unions strike, more than 7,000 trains would be idled and the rail industry has estimated it would cost the economy up to $2 billion per day.”

“ “Idling all 7,000 long distance daily freight trains in the U.S. would require more than 460,000 additional long-haul trucks every day, which is not possible based on equipment availability and an existing shortage of 80,000 drivers,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear in the letter. “As such, any rail service disruption will create havoc in the supply chain and fuel inflationary pressures across the board.”

This could be ugly for the supply chain if this turns into an extended stoppage.
Lots of food and oil is moved by rail so this can definitely be more than receiving your Amazon packages later than expected.

www.cnbc.com...


ETA,,,
I should point out that the feds can step in and force the workers back to work and it has happened before.
The rail system moves coal, oil and grain so if it goes too long that could happen.

They are going to nationalize the railroads.

Just a thought.

a reply to: Bluntone22

you know if you ask me both sides in this are _ - -ktards, doing this at this time is just about one of the worst things either side could be doing for the country. just gonna prolong the suffering of people that don't have anything to do with the dispute.

Wish I could get a 25% pay raise... those idiots are going to price themselves out of work.

They already have one of the best retirement plans in the nation thats fully funded, but going for the throat like this during the continued supply chain issues... and people wonder why folks are turning against the unions.

a reply to: BernnieJGato

what I read yesterday it was the end of the labor contract, the railroads already offered a sweet deal and like 8 out of the 12 unions agreed.

originally posted by: mikell
They are going to nationalize the railroads.

Just a thought.

Worst possible scenario….
Take one look at Amtrak for proof the government can’t run a railroad…
That and everything the government touches becomes a bloated inefficient nightmare

Yeah
You people negotiate less money at your job, for the good of the nation.
Pffft
Zip it liars

I hope the railroad workers get everything they are fighting for.

The “you didn’t build this” people need to take their Commie propaganda elsewhere.

originally posted by: BernnieJGato
a reply to: Bluntone22

you know if you ask me both sides in this are _ - -ktards, doing this at this time is just about one of the worst things either side could be doing for the country. just gonna prolong the suffering of people that don't have anything to do with the dispute.

They think it's leverage.

a reply to: shooterbrody

Pfft you zip it do you realize what the average bnsf conductor trainee makes?

The guys that fix the rail make even more.

They are not hurting for salary benefits or retirement benefits most of the nation would kill for their pay and benefits.

I tried to get work with bnsf but my back had already deteriorated to much, I would leave my govt job in a second to work under the agreement they are claiming is not good enough and it would be an upgrade across the board.

originally posted by: shooterbrody
a reply to: Irishhaf
[snipped]

How much do you people think is enough for someone else to make?

The time off of work is the biggest issue here.
That being said, the lack of off time is a direct result for high pay and benefits.

Unfortunately compromise is a four letter word in these types of negotiations..

a reply to: Bluntone22

Will the union pay wages during the strike?

You know
Those people were some of the “essential” people that had to work during the “ pandemic”.

They should try to get every scrap they can.

Railroad workers already make a killing. I think they're being greedy.

a reply to: Bluntone22

I say bring it on. The quicker we get this depression/recession over with the better. Dragging it out is what hurts the most. Airlines are next.

Guess the socialist euros are sensitive about what they actually are?

Calling a Commie a Commie is bad manors?

Wow

a reply to: VierEyes

A killing? Nah...

Per a couple different sources the average salary for a train conductor is $60,982/yr or $73,269/yr or $70,310/yr.

Considering the average freight train is around 5,800 to 7,500 feet long (PDF warning) and easily weigh over 19,000 tons, it's quite a large responsibility to handle.

And they often go at high speeds, on tracks not necessarily built or designed for those speeds, and through densely populated areas, carrying potentially hazardous materials or other items necessary for every day life, I think a higher pay would be well deserved.

a reply to: cmdrkeenkid

Great insurance and retirement benefits too.
Those things tend to not be mentioned when pay is discussed like for teachers

originally posted by: carewemust
a reply to: Bluntone22

Will the union pay wages during the strike?

Not sure about that one.
Every union is different but this would cost them a fortune.

originally posted by: cmdrkeenkid
a reply to: VierEyes

A killing? Nah...

Per a couple different sources the average salary for a train conductor is $60,982/yr or $73,269/yr or $70,310/yr.

Considering the average freight train is around 5,800 to 7,500 feet long (PDF warning) and easily weigh over 19,000 tons, it's quite a large responsibility to handle.

And they often go at high speeds, on tracks not necessarily built or designed for those speeds, and through densely populated areas, carrying potentially hazardous materials or other items necessary for every day life, I think a higher pay would be well deserved.

Where I come from that is a lot of money.