Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC - In response to the ongoing labor negotiations between freight rail workers and the railroad companies, the Sierra Club is in solidarity with the more than 100,000 rail workers negotiating for safer and better working conditions, including changes to a strict no time off attendance policy that has made it difficult for workers to choose between working and attending a family member’s funeral, going to the doctor, or taking sick days.
A tentative agreement was reached on September 15, a day ahead of a planned national strike, but union workers are still going through the details of the agreement before a mid-October vote to ratify the agreement.
Katherine García, Director of Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All campaign, released the following statement:
“Transportation workers are the backbone of our economy. Freight rail workers have performed heroic work during the pandemic to keep delivering essential goods. No one should have to choose between clocking in hours and their own health. No one should fear losing their job because they got sick. Now more than ever, it’s imperative for railroad companies to improve working conditions and protect workers’ rights.”
Derrick Figures, Director of the Sierra Club’s Labor and Economic Justice Program, released the following statement:
“The environmental movement has a history of being in solidarity with the labor movement. We’re more powerful than ever together, and strong workers’ rights lifts up all ships in a democratic society. That’s why we’re seeing workers across industries unionizing and approval of labor unions at an all-time high. We are in solidarity with the rail workers that have spent years negotiating for a fair contract, using their collective power to demand basic dignity at their jobs.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.