Distributors call on labor unions to accept deal and put the nation first

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), which represents the voice of the 7.4 trillion-dollar distribution industry, and employs more than 5 million U.S. workers, issued the following statement in response to the impending freight rail strike:

“President Biden has proclaimed himself ‘the most pro-union President you’ve ever seen,’ and he (along with his cabinet officials) has personally intervened in attempting to broker an agreement between the nation’s largest railway carriers and the 12 unions representing the rail workers. Unfortunately, even as the rail carriers agreed to a highly generous 14.1% immediate wage increase (with a total increase of 24% by 2024) and significant increases to the union’s already robust benefits, the package still is not enough to prevent the rail workers union from threatening a strike that would cost the US economy more than $2 billion a day,” said Seth M. Waugh, NAW Vice President, Government Relations.

This approach by the unions will cause less stability to the individuals, businesses, and local municipalities who depend on their services and is causing delays in delivering critical and life-saving products across the United States. At the same time, union bosses are actively lobbying Congress to support the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act - a radical wishlist of labor policies that attempts to increase union membership at any cost while strengthening their hand at the bargaining table without regard to the damage the bill would do to the economy. It is time for labor bosses to come to the table in good faith to help our nation, rather than trying to help themselves,” concluded Seth M. Waugh, NAW Vice President, Government Relations.