NWRA sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging action before November 19 to prevent a rail strike that could lead to a public health crisis if waste and recyclables are unable to be moved. NWRA asked that Congress extend the cooling off period that ends on November 19 so that the unions and rail companies can reach an agreement.
“Waste and recyclables must continue to be able to be shipped via rail without disruption,” said NWRA President and CEO Darrell Smith. “Should the unions and rail companies be unable to reach an agreement, we urge Congress to act under its authority to impose the Presidential Emergency Board’s proposed solution.”
While most of the country only began to focus on the railway issues in mid-September, NWRA’s members were already beginning to feel the effects across the U.S. as early as the spring. Member companies from the northeast to the northwest noticed that service disruptions were having a severe impact on their businesses. The loss of this transportation mode, even for a short time, would result in the stockpiling of waste and recyclables that could to a public health crisis.