Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2022

September 15, 2022

The tentative agreement reached tonight is an important win for our economy and the American people. It is a win for tens of thousands of rail workers who worked tirelessly through the pandemic to ensure that America's families and communities got deliveries of what have kept us going during these difficult years. These rail workers will get better pay, improved working conditions, and peace of mind around their health care costs: all hard-earned. The agreement is also a victory for railway companies who will be able to retain and recruit more workers for an industry that will continue to be part of the backbone of the American economy for decades to come.

I thank the unions and rail companies for negotiating in good faith and reaching a tentative agreement that will keep our critical rail system working and avoid disruption of our economy.

I am grateful for the hard work that Secretaries Walsh, Buttigieg, and Vilsack, and NEC Director Deese put into reaching this tentative agreement. I especially want to thank Secretary Walsh for his tireless, around-the-clock efforts that delivered a win for the hard-working people of the U.S. rail industry. As a result, we will keep Americans on the job in all the industries in this country that are touched by this vital industry.

For the American people, the hard work done to reach this tentative agreement means that our economy can avert the significant damage any shutdown would have brought. With unemployment still near record lows and signs of progress in lowering costs, tonight's agreement allows us to continue to fight for long-term economic growth that finally works for working families.

NOTE: The statement referred to National Economic Council Director Brian C. Deese.

Categories: Statements by the President : Railroad industry employers and workers, tentative agreement.

Names: Buttigieg, Peter P.M.; Deese, Brian C; Vilsack, Thomas J; Walsh, Martin J.

Subjects: Agriculture, Department of : Secretary; Diseases : Coronavirus, domestic prevention efforts; Economy, national : Strengthening efforts; Employment and unemployment : Unemployment rate; Labor, Department of : Secretary; Transportation, Department of : Secretary; Transportation : Railway system, labor dispute; White House Office : Economic Council, National.

DCPD Number: DCPD202200796.

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