Agriculture isn’t out of the woods regarding rail transportation issues as new demands are being made by at least one union.
Track maintenance workers want another seven days of paid sick time to ratify the 5-year contract. The major freight railroads appear unwilling to comply.
Six of the twelve unions have voted in favor of the terms, but all 12 must agree to avoid a strike on November 19.
DuWayne Bosse of Bolt Marketing is optimistic it will not come to that. “I don’t think we go into a full out strike because I don’t think the economy can handle it right now and I think the Administration knows that as well, but that’s why I think the unions are standing strong because they know that too.”
However, this is causing increased concern among end users and may slow shipments similar to late August, early September before the previous deadline for a labor deal.
