LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Jose Sanz,

Laredo, TX – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) issued the following statement in regard to Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s announcement that the House will proceed this week with legislation to adopt the Tentative Railroad Agreement and avert a national rail strike:

“The looming threat of a railroad worker strike is too big and too consequential to ignore. The United States risks 750,000 rail workers losing their jobs and millions of families being unable to obtain basic necessities like groceries and medication. Ultimately, rail traffic stoppage could result in $2 billion daily losses to the American economy through a culmination of backed up cargo, shipment delays, and canceled commuter rail services. Adopting the Tentative Railroad Agreement is critical to preventing our economy from coming to a grinding halt.

“Furthermore, railroad workers are crucial to the 28th District of Texas. At the Texas-Mexican Railway International Bridge in Laredo, an average of 25 trains per day cross the border, making it the busiest railroad freight gateway in North America. The goods that flow between this railway provide motor vehicles, retail goods, and appliances for American consumers.

“The Tentative Railroad Agreement provides great benefits for the many hardworking railroad workers that put food on our grocery shelves, medicine in our pharmacies, and make our economy the best in the world. These benefits include a 24% raise in wages, no changes in copays, deductibles or coinsurance costs, some time off for routine, preventative and emergency medical care, and protecting the two-man crew. I support these provisions, and I will continue to fight for more benefits for railroad workers, including paid sick leave.

“The solution is simple. I look forward to voting for the Tentative Railroad Agreement in the House later this week.”