All eyes are on the railroad negotiations as a fourth union, SMART – Transportation Division, the largest rail union, has rejected the tentative agreement on the table for not providing adequate sick days for their members. A national strike on the railroad could cost the US economy up to $2 billion a day if work stops, a situation that would be untenable and force the Biden Administration to step in with a return to work order.
As of today, the House of Representatives has agreed to avoid the strike, moving legislation to the Senate. The hold-up comes after the Presidential Advisory Board got involved in September to help both sides come up with an agreement to get them past the strike deadline. Still, of the fifteen unions involved, only eleven have affirmed that deal.
Should a work stoppage take place, Alba Wheels Up is working with carriers, shippers and domestic airlines to prepare contingency plans to avoid rail congestion. By pivoting to over-the-road truck options, transloading, and even domestic flights, we can provide solutions for cargo conundrums while the unions sort out the final pieces of the puzzle.
While labor issues aren’t specific to this time of year, we have spent decades building customizable plans to suit our logistics customers and offer them the peace of mind of working with experts. Our worldwide network of strategic partnerships gives us the community resources to ensure your cargo avoids the delays and pain points that come with a strike.
Despite the rail issues taking the top story this week, we’ve also been busy watching labor discussions overseas and on the west coast as the ILWU and PMA still struggle to find common ground. Alba stays ahead of the curve to accurately predict where our clients will need us most in the coming weeks, and it helps us ensure we can deliver your success.
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