Costa votes to avert National Rail Strike

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16), a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, voted to pass two pieces of legislation to avert a crippling national rail shutdown. 
 
“Our freight rail system is an essential foundation for our supply chains and every sector of our economy. Millions of Americans depend on our rail system to get medicine, groceries, and other critical goods,” said Costa. “A rail strike will only wreak havoc on our economy and exacerbate costs ahead of the holiday season. This legislation prevents disruptions to our critical supply chain, which is so important to our Valley’s economic wellbeing.”  
 
H.J. Res. 100, a tentative agreement between railroad companies and freight unions secures important advances for workers, including a 24 percent raise, no changes in copays, deductibles, or coinsurance costs, some time off for routine, preventative, and emergency medical care, and protection for the two-man crew.   
 
H. Con. Res. 119 modifies H. J. Res. 100 to ensure freight railroad workers have 7 days of paid sick leave, which can be used without penalty under rail carrier attendance policies. 
 
As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture, Costa has led efforts to address rail service disruptions. He called on the Surface Transportation Board to act on deficient rail service and delays in the delivery of feed and other goods.  
 
He introduced the Freight Rail Shipping Fair Market Act, which would update the Surface Transportation Board’s emergency powers to address urgent rail service disruptions and create a fair marketplace for the Class I freight railroads.   

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Congressman Jim Costa is a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.