Tom Buffenbarger, an independent labor voice, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed why a settlement proposed by the Presidential Emergency Board regarding the contract negotiation impasse between the railroad industry and its unions is one of the best proffered contracts he has ever seen.
The proposal offers a 16 percent pay increase over a five year period, going back retroactively from July of 2020 to July of 2024, and includes a signing bonus of $1,000. Buffenbarger said the quality of the proposal shows what can happen under a president who truly cares about working people. He noted it is now up to the unions to decide whether or not to accept the proposal.
Buffenbarger then spoke about members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local 175, who are employed at the Harley-Davidson York Pennsylvania Plant. Members of the Local overwhelmingly ratified a five-year contract that ended a two-tier wage system.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.