[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 186 (Thursday, December 1, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1195-E1196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 1, 2022

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.J. Res. 110 and 
H.J. Res. 119 which adopts the Tentative Railway Labor Agreement forged 
by months of hard-fought negotiations between railway workers and 
railroad companies and provides paid sick leave for workers.
  These votes put rail workers' rights over corporate profits. I am 
proud to support the Tentative Agreement which will provide important 
advances for freight rail workers. These advances include a 24 percent 
pay raise, a $5,000 bonus, no changes in copays, deductibles, or 
coinsurance, and seven days of paid medical leave.
  Additionally, my votes for these resolutions are to avert a 
devastating rail shutdown that would slam the brakes on our economy and 
impact the lives of nearly every American. Communities in Minnesota and 
across our nation need reliable access to safe drinking water. A rail 
shutdown would disrupt deliveries of essential products like chlorine, 
that are necessary to keep our water supplies safe and clean. Further, 
a rail stoppage would prevent timely deliveries of groceries, 
medications, and other vital goods. Some families would be hit even 
harder as it is estimated that as many as 765,000 Americans, many of 
them union workers, would lose their jobs within weeks.
  My votes for H.J. Res. 110 and H.J. Res. 119 are to put workers' 
rights, the safety of our communities, and Americans' economic security 
over corporate profits. Railroad workers deserve fair compensation, 
benefits, and

[[Page E1196]]

sick leave, and I will continue to fight for their rights.

                          ____________________