Liberal Democrats in the House signaled on Wednesday morning that they would support a pair of bills to force a contract deal between rail carriers and unions that would preempt a nationwide rail strike.
The House is expected to vote Wednesday on the bills, including one that would ratify a union contract brokered earlier this year by the White House. It will also separately vote on a bill backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) that grants workers seven paid sick days.
Previously it remained unclear whether the liberal wing of the Democratic Party would torpedo the Biden-endorsed bill that does not include paid sick days, a sticking point for rail workers who do not receive paid sick time.
“We have been able to mandate that any House legislation to codify the existing tentative agreement will be accompanied by legislation that addresses the workers’ long standing demand for fair paid leave,” Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said in a statement.
Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the Senate will work to pass the agreement as quickly as possible after the House votes on it, probably on Wednesday. A strike deadline has been set for Dec. 9 at midnight.
The House is expected to vote Wednesday on the bills, including one that would ratify a union contract brokered earlier this year by the White House. It will also separately vote on a bill backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) that grants workers seven paid sick days.
Previously it remained unclear whether the liberal wing of the Democratic Party would torpedo the Biden-endorsed bill that does not include paid sick days, a sticking point for rail workers who do not receive paid sick time.
“We have been able to mandate that any House legislation to codify the existing tentative agreement will be accompanied by legislation that addresses the workers’ long standing demand for fair paid leave,” Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said in a statement.
Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the Senate will work to pass the agreement as quickly as possible after the House votes on it, probably on Wednesday. A strike deadline has been set for Dec. 9 at midnight.