[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 149 (Thursday, September 15, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S4627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   Railway Labor Management Agreement

  Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, last night, as most Americans were in 
bed asleep, freight rail companies and unions representing tens of 
thousands of workers secured a tentative agreement that will keep the 
trains running on time and keep our economy moving. And the best part 
is that union leadership representing tens of thousands of railway 
workers, who have worked themselves to the bone over the course of the 
pandemic, seem to have secured the higher pay and better working 
conditions for their members. Railway workers have earned that pay and 
those benefits through blood, sweat, and tears, and I hope it will make 
it easier for other workers in future negotiations to secure stronger 
benefits.
  This is exactly the sort of outcome that will keep our economy going, 
our supply chains running, and, most importantly, our workers well-
taken care of. The episode is a reminder of an evergreen truth that 
people underappreciate even now: Workers are what make the wheels of 
our economy turn--in this case, literally.
  I want to thank President Biden and Secretary Walsh, who was 
steadfast and dedicated, and in a word that we have used for our Senate 
caucus, he persisted and persisted and persisted. I want to thank every 
single union representative and railworker who negotiated in good faith 
to reach this outcome.