WASHINGTON — Legislation to implement the agreement between rail companies and labor unions is awaiting President Biden’s signature after US Senate approval on Dec. 1.

The legislation averts a rail strike that Biden said would have triggered a recession. The Senate did not approve the House proposal that would have added seven days of sick leave to the agreement. 

The Biden administration brokered the September agreement with the rail labor unions and the operators. 

“Congress’ decisive action ensures that we will avoid the impending, devastating economic consequences for workers, families, and communities across the country,” Biden said in a statement on Dec. 1. “Communities will maintain access to clean drinking water. Farmers and ranchers will continue to be able to bring food to market and feed their livestock. And hundreds of thousands of Americans in a number of industries will keep their jobs. I will sign the bill into law as soon as Congress sends it to my desk.”

The unions voting down the agreement took issue with the level of the pay increase given current inflation levels as well as a failure to address demands to make work schedules more flexible while providing more sick days. 

In total, eight of 12 labor unions have ratified the labor agreement, which provides employees with a 24% wage increase over five years (ending in 2024) and preserves what the American Association of Railroads (AAR) called “best-in-class health care coverage.” 

Meat industry groups shared their support for Congressional legislation in the House earlier this week.