The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today called on the U.S. Congress to pass legislation to avoid a rail strike that would have far reaching effects on meat and poultry production.
“A rail strike would cause severe supply chain disruptions for the meat and poultry industry raising the cost of food for consumers and further damaging a struggling U.S. economy,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute. “We urge Congress to act now to avoid major disruptions to service.”
At issue is the failure of railroad unions and management to come to a voluntary labor agreement. President Biden has called on Congress to exercise its statutory authority to intervene before the December 9th deadline. The U.S. House is set to vote Wednesday on a bill to block a potential strike by imposing the tentative agreement struck by the parties’ negotiators in September. The Senate would then take up the legislation for a debate and vote.
The Meat Institute has joined several efforts to call for a solution to the looming railroad employee strike, including signing a letter to Congress alongside hundreds of other organizations that represent a diverse array of American industries and supply chains. The Meat Institute is working as part of the Ag Transportation Working Group to meet with key congressional staff to reiterate the consequences of a rail strike and urge Congress to act.
Source : NAMI