CEJN Stands in Solidarity with Railroad Workers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:

Carlos Enriquez, CEJN, carlos@setaskforce.org 815-342-5717

Chicago Environmental Justice Network Stands in Solidarity with Railroad Workers

CHICAGO (Dec. 1, 2022) – As railroad workers find themselves in the crossroads of months-long negotiations over better working conditions and paid time off, the Chicago Environmental Justice Network stands in solidarity with them.

Last week, four labor unions representing a majority of railroad workers across the country voted to reject a tentative agreement (TA) on the basis of it failing to meet quality of life standards, including guaranteed sick days. Unlike 80 percent of the country’s workforce, rail workers are not guaranteed paid sick leave. 

This past Tuesday, President Biden issued a statement to announce his intentions for Congress to impose the original TA as threat of a major work stoppage looms for December 9th. Yesterday The House of Representatives approved the original, while also passing a separate bill ensuring that railroad workers are given seven days of paid sick leave.

Environmental justice advocates have commented on the reports that many of the groups behind a letter that was sent to President Joe Biden urging him to force through the original TA included some of the country’s worst polluters, such as the American Chemistry Council—whose membership is composed of some of the largest corporations in the fossil fuel industry.

Polluting industries often cite job creation as the top priority for expansion of operations, this current situation puts in doubt how much they actually consider the health and well-being of the workers that make up the backbone of this country.

The following is a statement from CEJN member and Southeast Environmental Task Force Executive Director, Olga Bautista:

“The current situation in Congress in which railroad workers could be forced to accept a contract that denies them the ability to have paid sick days to recover from illness is outrageous. It is simply unconscionable for members of a workforce deemed to be ‘essential’ to be denied of the ability to spend time with their family as well as to rest and recuperate from illness in the third year of a global respiratory pandemic and and while the railroad industry continues to rake in record profits.

“Furthermore it is absolutely shameful that some of the largest energy companies are attempting to undermine the workers in the railroad industry by lobbying force through an unjust contract at the same time that they funnel millions of dollars to prevent sustainable technologies to move away from harmful coal emissions.

“Chicago is one of the largest logistical railway hubs in the country, so any decisions on this situation impacts many of our community members that work on the railroads. CEJN stands in complete solidarity with all railroad workers in their struggle for better and just conditions and we urge all environmental justice advocates to do the same.”

###