Signalmen Union Nixes Rail Deal, Raising Specter of Strike (1)

The National Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen has voted to reject a five-year contract with the nation’s largest rail companies, reviving the threat of a nationwide strike.

Union members overwhelmingly torpedoed the collective bargaining proposal, which offered a 24% wage increase and more flexible sick time but fell short of unions’ demands. It came as part of a deal brokered by the Biden administration last month to avert a nationwide shutdown. More than 60% of the membership voted against the proposal, the union said Wednesday.

“For the first time that I can remember, the BRS members voted not to ratify a ...