September 7, 2006 - The IAM is part of a group of unions representing workers at our nation’s rail carriers that have initiated a coordinated campaign to counter rail managements’ union-busting agenda during intense contract negotiations.
“There would be no U.S. rail industry without rail labor,” said General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. “Despite our impressive record of successes that benefited the entire industry, management is trying to drive a wedge between workers and their unions. The rail carriers’ have undertaken an enormous propaganda campaign to distort facts and mislead their workers and shareholders.”
Rail labor supported the creation of Amtrak, railroad deregulation and railroad subsidy programs that provided billions of dollars for the carriers. A recent bill eliminating a federal tax on diesel fuel, which saved the carriers $180 million a year, would not have passed Congress without labor support.
“Rail labor is united in our fight to achieve fair contracts for our members and rebutting the carriers’ lies,” said GVP Roach. “We will stand together, stay strong and remain united.”
Additional facts about rail labor’s integral role in the industry are available here.
