Complete Story
09/16/2022
IME Calls for Continued Freight Rail Service Amidst Potential Strikes
Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, and Leader McCarthy:
On behalf of the Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME), I write today to draw attention to a critical matter affecting the continuity of freight rail service for our essential industry and many others throughout the U.S. economy.
IME represents the nation’s manufacturers, distributors and users of commercial explosive materials, many of whom rely heavily on freight rail service to move products safely, securely, and efficiently. As the nation begins undertaking the important work outlined in the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act” (IIJA), access to the tools that make that work possible is paramount. Building our nation’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges, electric transmission lines, energy production and critical mineral extraction, begins with the use of explosives. Simply put, our industry will play an essential role in modernizing American infrastructure. Without consistent access to freight rail, our ability to do so may be severely constrained.
As the potential for a railway strike draws near, our members are working to ensure contingency plans are in place should a strike occur. Some freight railroads have indicated that they will begin to curtail shipments of HAZMAT materials this week. Should an agreement between the railroads and rail labor unions appear unlikely by the end of the “cooling off” period, Thursday, September 16th, IME requests that Congress use all available options to resolve any remaining disputes and avoid what could become, when compounded with existing supply chain issues, inflation, and two years of global pandemic, an economic catastrophe.
I urge you and your colleagues to work with all rail stakeholders to ensure freight rail service continuity. As America continues to rebuild following the COVID-19 pandemic, a halt to commerce now, at this scale, would surely be a setback we cannot afford.
Thank you for your time and attention to this critical issue.
Best Regards,
On behalf of the Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME), I write today to draw attention to a critical matter affecting the continuity of freight rail service for our essential industry and many others throughout the U.S. economy.
IME represents the nation’s manufacturers, distributors and users of commercial explosive materials, many of whom rely heavily on freight rail service to move products safely, securely, and efficiently. As the nation begins undertaking the important work outlined in the “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act” (IIJA), access to the tools that make that work possible is paramount. Building our nation’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges, electric transmission lines, energy production and critical mineral extraction, begins with the use of explosives. Simply put, our industry will play an essential role in modernizing American infrastructure. Without consistent access to freight rail, our ability to do so may be severely constrained.
As the potential for a railway strike draws near, our members are working to ensure contingency plans are in place should a strike occur. Some freight railroads have indicated that they will begin to curtail shipments of HAZMAT materials this week. Should an agreement between the railroads and rail labor unions appear unlikely by the end of the “cooling off” period, Thursday, September 16th, IME requests that Congress use all available options to resolve any remaining disputes and avoid what could become, when compounded with existing supply chain issues, inflation, and two years of global pandemic, an economic catastrophe.
I urge you and your colleagues to work with all rail stakeholders to ensure freight rail service continuity. As America continues to rebuild following the COVID-19 pandemic, a halt to commerce now, at this scale, would surely be a setback we cannot afford.
Thank you for your time and attention to this critical issue.
Best Regards,
J. Clark Mica
President
President
