President Joe Biden signed a Bill Friday to avert a rail strike that he said could have plunged the U.S. into a recession.
The measure, passed by the Senate on Thursday and the House on Wednesday, binds rail companies and workers to a proposed settlement that was reached in September.
In a statement, the Indiana Department of Transportation said that they are thankful the strike was prevented.
“INDOT is pleased that the potential freight rail strike has been averted, and the many goods moved via rail throughout the state of Indiana will continue to reach their final destinations.”
Read more: Provisional railway labor deal prevents strike
In another statement, the Indiana Farm Bureau also expressed their relief saying that a strike would have been detrimental for food producers.
“As farmers, we rely on trains to transport food, feed and other important supplies like fertilizer to our farms. A shutdown would have devastating consequences to our state, national and global food security. We appreciate our leaders in Washington coming together and recognizing the damaging impact a strike would have on the economy and the food supply chain.”
The strike would have begun on December 9 th, and according to Biden could have caused roughly 765,000 job losses by rupturing supply chains.
Four of the 12 rail unions involved rejected the proposed settlement for lacking sufficient paid leave. Biden acknowledged the shortcoming as he said he would continue to push for that benefit for every U.S. worker.
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