Largest Rail Union , Rejects Deal, , Rail Stike Is Imminent.
The Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, Transportation union (SMART-TD) announced on Nov. 21 that it had rejected a tenetative deal struck with freight railroads in Sept.
The SMART-TD represents 28,000 railroad conductors.
The announcement means a strike could occur in two weeks, in the midst of the holiday season.
In a statement, SMART-TD president Jeremy Ferguson indicated that a strike isn't the only outcome of the union's rejection of the contract.
SMART-TD members with their votes have spoken, it’s now back to the bargaining table for our operating craft members, Jeremy Ferguson, SMART-TD president,
'The New York Times'.
This can all be settled
through negotiations
and without a strike. , Jeremy Ferguson, SMART-TD president,
'The New York Times'.
A settlement would be in the best interests of the workers, the railroads, shippers and the American people, Jeremy Ferguson, SMART-TD president,
'The New York Times'.
The deadline for successful negotiations is Dec. 9.
The other major railroad union, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), pledged its solidarity with SMART-TD.
We stood shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters in SMART-TD and others in rail labor throughout this process .., Dennis Pierce, BLET Union President, NBC News.
... and we will continue to stand in solidarity with them as we approach the finish line in this round of negotiations, Dennis Pierce, BLET Union President, NBC News.
BLET represents 24,000 railroad engineers.
A spokesperson for the Association of American Railroads stated that organization is open to negotiating.
[R]ailroads stand ready to reach new deals. [However,] the window continues to narrow as deadlines rapidly approach, Ian Jefferies, Association of American Railroads CEO, 'The New York Times'
