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Thursday, December 1, 2022

Rail Strike?

Congress is busy trying to pass legislation to prevent a railroad workers strike. That might not necessarily prevent the strike. They would just make it an illegal strike. 

Frankly, this is all unnecessary. The railroads are making record profits. Over the years they’ve been shrinking their workforce. The workers have some very legitimate concerns. The smart thing would be to address those concerns. Instead the owners are leaning on their friends in Congress to force employees to keep working. Looks like President Biden will have to give up his “friend of the unions” claims. 

So how much of a big deal would a rail strike be? Very big indeed. There are three main ways goods are moved across the country. The most economical is by barge. That’s great for getting grain from the heartland down the Mississippi to the rest of the world. It’s not so good where there’s no water access. 

The next most economical is by rail. Most people don’t realize that the vast majority of bulk goods moves by rail. Rails, unlike canals, go just about everywhere. The nation would shut down without rail transport of goods. 

Trucks are the third major way goods are moved. It’s a lot more expensive than rail. Not only that, truck transport can only add on a limited amount of new capacity. 

Without rail we are looking at some serious shortages: food, fuel, chemicals, building materials, components, machinery, fertilizer -the list is endless. It would be a very good idea to be able to live off your preps for a while. Many things would no longer be available and the things that are will increase in price. That’s just supply and demand. 

Will they go on strike? I can’t say. However, if it was me I would not be put off by some law passed by Congress. Union leaders have a long history of being willing to go to jail. All union activity used to be illegal so that’s par for the course. Frankly, I’d support a wildcat strike as sometimes that’s what it takes. 

However, make sure you have your stuff squared away as it could get uncomfortable when the economy shuts down. 

-Sixbears

15 comments:

  1. "However, make sure you have your stuff squared away as it could get uncomfortable when the economy shuts down. "

    Uncomfortable? Your dry wit makes me visit your site often.

    My lifestyle means a grid dropping Nor'easter is but a careful snow removal and repair situation. Getting hurt by bad body mechanics or a widow maker dropping on you is AH BAD in a no EMS response show emergency.

    It's the Un-prepared and the wanna be warlords who weekend LARP with squaddie gear that concern me.

    They are difficult to plan around. Chaos.

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    1. As I've gotten older I'm much more careful about injuries. Things just don't heal like they used to.

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  2. Yeah , I'm concerned about the neighbors first. Then their neighbors , neighbor...
    Same issues you'll have with them , only less dense. You've got a huge golden horde just a few hundred miles away.
    In your case...as you know. I'm concerned for your welfare in cold preparedness. Having a little bit of manufactured firewood ... ain't prepared ! Hard core statement , but your own physical limitations for gathering out of the local woods concerns me long term.
    When I lived in Idaho, we always kept a two year supply of wood at the house. Along with a few ton of coal .
    Few can understand what a full shutdown means .
    Three days to chaos is possible , with our interconnected society. Once it totally breaks down...man's nature , currently won't allow a reset me thinks

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    1. I'm less worried about the golden horde coming this far north. We are well off the major highways. I've had some health challenges in the past couple of years but I'm doing better. The manufactured firewood gives me a cushion. I'm heading out for more "real" firewood this morning. I like the new chainsaw. The big electric is quiet.

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    2. Besides, you've got a fairly competent support system.

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  3. The main shortcoming of the settlement being imposed is that it doesn't give the workers paid sick time (they currently get none). Pelosi held a separate vote on a measure to rectify this and include paid sick time in the deal, and it passed. Now it has to pass the Senate, which is more of a problem because of the filibuster (they'll need ten Republicans to support it). If it passes there, though, the workers will get their main demand.

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    1. It's insane that they don't get paid sick leave. What other civilized industrial country treats workers that way?

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    2. Pretty much every hourly employee in the USA does not get sick pay in most small business. Only large institutions and salaried workers for the most part.
      It is surprising that RR workers don't get it. Of course then too their pay scale is much, much higher than most average mom and pop workers too.

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  4. Gee , I wish that the communists in congress would have stepped in and negotiated for us when our contract was up. NOT!!!

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    1. I wouldn't want congress negotiating for me. We have the corporate Republicans and the corporate Democrats.

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    2. Communists, Socialist, Fascist all great words to argue and split hairs about. I don't want any of them running the show but here we are.

      Can we agree that our Elected Officials DON'T Represent We the People?

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  5. Anyone not squared away by now isn't likely to get that way. And the meddling from Pedo Joe and our congresscritters is only going to make things worse.

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