US labor law is designed to prevent railroad strikes like the kind that shook America in the past. But the constant cuts to staffing levels and erosion of conditions for rail workers could produce a national rail walkoff by September.
By Jeff Schuhrke, Jacobin
After thirty months of stalled contract negotiations amid the pandemic — all while enduring stagnant wages, heavier workloads, unsafe conditions, and draconian attendance policies — 115,000 fed-up US freight railroad workers are mobilizing for a possible national strike.

On Saturday, a few hundred rail workers from multiple craft unions gathered with allies in Galesburg, Illinois, to signal to the federal government and major rail carriers that they are ready for a showdown.
“I have never seen in my experience working in this industry the kind of unity that you all are displaying right now,” Greg Regan, president of the AFL-CIO’s Transportation Trades Department, told the crowd. “This is not just a rail labor fight; this is a labor movement fight.”
Some of the craft unions represented at the Galesburg event included the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division (SMART-TD), the Teamsters’ Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED), and the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers (Boilermakers).
Recent Posts
Internationally Beloved Academic, Poet, And Activist Dr. Refaat Alareer Killed By Israel
December 8, 2023
Take Action Now The professor at University of Gaza and co-founder of “We are Not Numbers” refused to evacuate northern Gaza as demanded by Israelis…
Nikki Haley’s Fake Moderation Should Fool No One
December 8, 2023
Take Action Now The favorite of plutocrats and the mainstream media is running a deeply deceptive campaign. By Jeet Heer, The Nation The fourth GOP…
People Aren’t Crazy For Thinking The Biden Economy Is Bad
December 8, 2023
Take Action Now There are many good reasons to be unhappy with the economy today: by conventional social democratic metrics like union density,…
China Hysteria Is Driving Our Bloated Military Budget
December 8, 2023
Take Action Now Washington wants you to believe we’re being outpaced in budget and weapons. That’s not true. by William Hartung,…