TFI credits US Congress for taking action to avoid railroad strike

HOUSTON (ICIS)–The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) said it applauds the US Congress for taking action to avoid a railroad strike which could have been underway on 9 December.

The fertilizer industry group noted that the US House of Representatives on 30 November voted on two resolutions, one was to implement tentative agreement that were agreed to back in September by the rail carriers and labour union leadership.

The second measure was to add seven additional paid sick days to rank and file rail workers with both resolutions having passed.

The US Senate today voted on both resolutions, as well as a third that would have extended the negotiations. Of the three resolutions, the Senate passed only the resolution to implement the September tentative agreement, which should now head to the president for his signature.

“TFI thanks Congress for its swift work this week to implement the September tentative agreements reached by rail carriers and union leadership to avert a rail strike that would have severely disrupted delivery of fertilizer to farmers as well as hurting domestic production,” said Corey Rosenbusch, TFI president and CEO.

“TFI is also appreciative of the Biden administration’s leadership as this challenging situation took bipartisan efforts on all sides and every level of our government to make it happen. It is encouraging to see members of both parties working together, and this is good news for our nation as we approach the 118th Congress.”

Rosenbusch said that rail is critical to the movement of fertilizer year-round and that by avoiding the work stoppage it will help a global market which is already constrained by geopolitical events and volatile energy prices.

“Our members can now get back to doing what they do best,” Rosenbusch said. “And that’s producing and shipping fertilizers to the farmers across the country that grow the food, fuel and fibre that we all need. Today is a victory for food security, both in the US and around the world.”