Rep. Sherrill Votes to Avert Rail Strike, Expand Benefits for Workers, and Protect Critical Supply Chains

Press Release

Today, Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) voted for two resolutions that will adopt the Tentative Agreement reached between railway workers and operators in September and expand that deal to include seven days of annual paid sick leave for railway workers. This agreement will secure crucial benefits for our essential rail workforce and avert a national rail strike, which would cost the United States economy $2 billion a day and could increase prices for families through new supply chain disruptions. 

"After speaking to railway unions and workers in New Jersey, I voted for the two resolutions that will protect the economic security of New Jersey families and avert a devastating nationwide rail strike," said Rep. Sherrill. "These two resolutions will support our hard-working railway workers and provide them with fairer wages, benefits, and working conditions. They will also prevent a major shutdown of our economy, protect thousands of jobs and small businesses, and safeguard our supply chains to ensure food and medicine remains on the shelves. With this bipartisan legislation, we are advancing the needs of working families and American businesses, while ensuring the economy is strong during the holiday season." 

The Tentative Agreement reached in September between rail workers and operators secures important priorities for working families in the industry, including:

A 24 percent pay raise from 2020 to 2024, including an immediate 14.1 percent raise;
A $5,000 bonus in annual installments over five years;
Temporary freezes in monthly healthcare copays, deductibles and coinsurance costs;
New time off for routine, preventative, and emergency medical care; and 
Protections for the two-man crew system.

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