Washington, Nov 21 (EFE).- One of the main railway unions in the United States rejected on Monday a tentative agreement that had been negotiated in September to avoid a general strike, threatening to call a strike starting on December 9.
50.87% of the workers of the Transportation Division of the SMART Union (SMART-TD, in English) rejected the preliminary agreement reached, according to a statement.
“All of this can be resolved through negotiations and without a strike. An agreement would be best for workers, railroads, carriers and the American people,” union president Jeremy Ferguson wrote.
The White House spokeswoman, Karine Jean-Pierre, also added today that the halt in activity would be “unacceptable” due to the “damage” it would cause to businesses, families and the country as a whole, and asked that the parties move forward “in good faith” to solve it.
“Our team is preparing for any possible outcome as we continue to act to avoid a shutdown. Our priority is to prevent a shutdown,” he said.
In mid-September, unions and companies reached a tentative agreement in their negotiation of a new contract that workers want to include clauses that allow them to go to the doctor or respond to family emergencies without being penalized, as the current system does, which does not collect sick days.
Eight other national unions will also go on strike if SMART-TD decides to do so, the statement said.
A nationwide rail disruption would negatively affect the economy and lead to further disruptions in the supply chain.
Under a 1926 law, Congress has the power to impose an agreement that stops or blocks a strike.
The US president himself, Joe Biden, has intervened in the past in negotiations with railway unions and the White House created an emergency board in July to mediate disputes between companies and their workers.
(c) EFE Agency