Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Ohio Unions Rally for Rail Workers with Support from Pro-Labor Candidates

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Unions in Toledo, Ohio, held a rally on Saturday demanding a fair contract for railroad workers who have gone almost three years without a contract or a pay increase. The ongoing dispute with America’s largest freight rail companies has spurred action from the Biden administration, which last week released recommendations to help resolve the bargaining impasse.

Rep. Tim Ryan, the pro-labor candidate running for the U.S. Senate in Ohio, spoke about his union roots and called on union members to vote this election year for candidates who have a record of helping working people get ahead. He was joined at the rally by Rep. Marcy Kaptur and other union-endorsed candidates.

Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) President Greg Regan also spoke at the rally about the labor movement’s increasing power and popularity: “Unions have the highest favorability ratings in decades. People are waking up. They’re recognizing they have power in their jobs.”