UPDATE:  President Biden has signed a bill to prevent a national railroad strike. The measure forces a deal between freight railroads and their unions, averting a December 9th shutdown. Biden said the resolution will ensure the U.S. avoids an “economic catastrophe” as the railroads are the backbone of the supply chain.

———————————————————–

Kansas senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted with the majority Thursday as the U.S. Senate approved a bill to impose a tentative agreement between rail companies and unions – one that eight out of 12 unions had agreed to in the Fall.  The 80-15 vote heads off a rail strike that could have disrupted the national economy to the tune of two billion dollars a day.

Moran issued a statement following the vote:

“This labor dispute is an issue that should have been resolved between railroad companies and employees, not by Congress. However, the uncertainty and supply problems created by a shutdown would be damaging to Kansans, especially now with high inflation and ongoing supply chain issues. The country needs certainty, and the possibility of a shutdown made it necessary for Congress to take action to keep railways operating.”

Before the vote, Marshall had raised concerns about the impact that a strike would have on Kansas agriculture.

The Senate voted down a provision that would have added seven days of paid sick leave for rail workers.   That provision failed with a vote of 52-43.  Moran and Marshall voted against the sick leave provision.