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Group rallies in Schenectady against recent rail agreement

Dec 14, 2022 12:30 am

Harrison Grubb is reporting for News10 [dot] com a small number of people, including representatives from a local union, gathered in Schenectady on December 13, in a rally against the recent rail agreement that averted a national strike. The protesters were standing in solidarity with workers who do not support the deal. “It’s the ultimate expression of having someone’s back,” said Greg Giorgio, delegate with the Upstate NY Chapter of the Industrial Workers of the World. President Joe Biden signed a bill implementing the labor agreement that included a 24 percent raise over five years, but did not expand paid sick leave for the union's workers. “I think there’s a pretty strong agreement among a majority of rail workers that the contract that the Congress and the President imposed on them is really very unfair,” Giorgio said. The President urged Congress to pass the agreement, fearing the economic impact of shutdown on the rails would have across the country. For the Schenectady protesters, it was unfair for the government to intervene in that way, “Workers have objective rights, if you trample on those rights, you’re endangering the public from a safety viewpoint and you’re going to lose the trained people in your workforce,” said Martin Manley. Local rail worker supporters hope to see negotiations reopened in the future, to address expanded sick time and other concerns. The rally in Schenectady was one of several held nationwide in support of members of Railroad Workers United. Read the full story at News10 [dot] com.