Washington – Today, American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear issued the following statement praising President Biden’s executive order to establish a Presidential Emergency Board to help avert the possibility of a rail strike that could have started next week:
“We commend President Biden for taking decisive action today to avert a strike and help ensure the rail sector keeps moving freight at this critical time for our economy by appointing a Presidential Emergency Board.
“In order to move past our supply chain challenges and reduce the inflationary pressure that’s hurting American families, we must continue to steer clear of the kinds of avoidable, unnecessary disruptions to the movement of freight that this strike would have caused.
“Our nation’s supply chain has faced a wide range of stress factors during the past several months. We are glad the White House recognizes the importance of keeping freight rail running, one of the key modes of freight transportation that is highly interconnected with the trucking industry in delivering goods nationwide.
“The Administration’s actions today build upon significant progress it’s made to reinforce the supply chain by relieving port congestion, advancing workforce development programs, and signing the Ocean Shipping Reform Act into law.”
The PEB has 30 days to produce a report with recommendations for contract settlement, and the rail carriers and unions are allowed 30 days to review the report’s findings.
American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward.
###