SMART Transportation Division refused to ratify the new agreement.

Back in September, a new contract was brokered between the Biden Administration and the various railway unions of the United States. This new deal offered better base salaries for railway workers and guaranteed raises, among other benefits, narrowly averting an economically disastrous railway strike. However, since then, several unions have expressed discontent with the deal, believing it could be better, delaying the ratification process.

This week, SMART Transportation Division, one of the largest railway unions in the country, rejected the tentative deal by a narrow 50.87% margin. “SMART-TD members with their votes have spoken, it’s now back to the bargaining table for our operating craft members,” said SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson in a statement. “This can all be settled through negotiations and without a strike. A settlement would be in the best interests of the workers, the railroads, shippers and the American people.”

The race is now on to pen a new agreement that meets everyone’s standards by December 8. If this deadline is not met, a railway strike could ensue, which would severely impact economic proceedings across the entire United States.

“Let’s be clear, if the remaining unions do not accept an agreement, Congress should be prepared to act and avoid a disastrous $2 billion a day hit to our economy,” said AAR President and CEO Ian Jefferies in a statement.