The US House of Representatives voted, Wednesday, by a majority of the Democratic and Republican parties in favor of legislation aimed at preventing a strike by national railroad employees, which, if it happened, would have dire effects on the country’s economy.
The legislation was voted in favor of 290 of the 435-member House of Representatives, and it will go to the Senate for consideration.
It will almost certainly be signed into law by US President Joe Biden, should it ever reach his desk.
The legislation would force railroad unions to accept a preliminary agreement brokered by President Biden’s administration over the summer.
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Four out of 12 trade unions rejected the agreement because it did not guarantee workers paid sick leave, and threatened to strike unless an agreement was reached by December 9.
President Biden has pleaded with lawmakers to quickly approve the bill, saying that if the strike is allowed, it will result in up to 765,000 Americans losing their jobs in just the first two weeks.
After the House vote, he said the “overwhelming bipartisan support” for the bill “makes clear that Democrats and Republicans agree that shutting down the railroads would be devastating to our economy and to our families across the country.”
According to the American Al-Hurra channel, the House of Representatives voted in favor of legislation aimed at preventing a strike by National Railroad employees by disbursing additional funding to increase their salaries.
