National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) President and CEO Eric R. Byer issued a statement applauding efforts by the U.S. House of Representatives to avert a freight rail strike while supporting workers’ call for paid sick leave. A rail strike could cause serious harm to the U.S. economy and supply chain. 

In his statement, Byer said, “A strong freight rail network is fundamental to keeping essential goods moving, and it requires a productive and healthy workforce. Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved two bipartisan resolutions that not only averted a freight rail strike that would have been devastating to an already-stressed supply chain and U.S. economy, but also addressed freight rail workers’ request for additional sick leave that is afforded to most private sector employees.

“Chemical distributors, many of which are small businesses, rely heavily on freight rail as they process and deliver critical products to nearly every industry. As such, members of NACD are all too aware of the underlying issues within the freight rail industry that have significantly reduced the freight rail workforce and contributed to a serious deterioration in rail service. Addressing the concerns of these highly skilled and critical rail workers by giving them the basic sick day benefits that so many other Americans enjoy marks one substantial step toward getting freight rail back on track.

“NACD is grateful to House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) for his leadership and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) for implementing a procedure in the House that would allow a package to move forward that would both prevent a strike while securing sick leave for rail workers.

“The devastating economic consequences of a rail strike are indisputable, as are the detrimental impacts on workers and customers of the rail companies’ ongoing prioritization of their bottom line over the well-being of their employees and the continuation of critical rail services. NACD applauds the bold steps taken today by the U.S. House of Representatives and urges the U.S. Senate to approve the full package of strike-averting legislation and paid sick leave for rail workers as quickly as possible.”

Learn more at www.nacd.com.