The following short video {5 min} was produced and edited by Paula Pecorella and Meg Herschlein for the website More Perfect Union.
In this excellent video railroad workers discuss many of the reasons that could lead to a major railroad strike in the U.S. as soon as next month, in September 2022. Over the past three years, the railroad companies have made record profits but are now refusing to address any of the concerns of railroad workers. Railroad workers have not seen a raise in three years. Railroad workers are on call 24/7, and have to spend a lot of time away from their families, often working alone for 80 hours per week, and sometimes being away from home due to work for as many as 120 hours per week. The companies have imposed massive layoffs, firing over 45,000 workers over the past five years, and dumping way more work onto fewer workers. As a consequence, railroad workers often work 12 hours non-stop, without a break. And because of the extremely short-staffing, workers schedules are jacked around all the time, and can be called into work at any moment, even in the middle of the night.
Railroad workers want to see all of these concerns addressed in the current contract negotiations, and if they are not addressed, they are preparing to strike.
Check out the video for more…
