    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [July 30, 1996]
    [Page 1232]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1232]]

    Statement on the Settlement of Railroad Contract Disputes
    July 30, 1996

        These agreements represent a triumph of the collective bargaining
    process. I commend the parties for their hard work in reaching these
    settlements. I also commend our Presidential Emergency Boards for
    developing recommendations that helped to bring about these resolutions.
        In the past 25 years, Congress has had to step in no fewer than 10
    times to prevent national rail stoppages. Such stoppages can cost
    American businesses and consumers billions of dollars. The voluntary
    contract agreements achieved this year broke that pattern and represent
    a milestone for labor-management relations.