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Tentative rail agreement faces uncertainty

The head of the Soy Transportation Coalition says there’s some concern union officials won’t ratify the recent agreement that averted a railroad strike.

Mike Steenhoek says a number of unions are frustrated with the tentative agreement. “They were wanting more in terms of both wage increases, but also some of these time-off and scheduling concerns that they wanted to see more fully addressed,” Steenhoek said.

He tells Brownfield despite continued tensions between the railroads and employees, he does expect the agreement to move forward. “The President and congressional leaders, they recognize having a rail slowdown or strike prior to the mid-term elections would not be a favorable development for anyone.”

Steenhoek says the tentative agreement would give rail employees a 24 percent wage increase as recommended by the Presidential Emergency Board. It also would provide unpaid time off for medical care.