Groups representing big rail shippers said Thursday’s tentative railroad-labor contract avoids potential turmoil in their supply chains and they are hoping for rapid ratification by union members to fully ease the labor tensions. “We are relieved and cautiously optimistic that this devastating nationwide rail strike has been averted,” said National Retail Federation President and Chief Executive Matthew Shay. The tentative deal must now be ratified by members of the various unions covered by the contracts. The deal, which is retroactive to 2019, includes a 14.1% wage increase upon ratification. Still, the agreement may help improve rail service in operations that have been hit by capacity and staffing shortages, he wrote.

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