On the recordSeptember 15, 2022
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.





