The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) today pressed the Class One Railroads and the labor unions representing rail workers to act quickly to avoid a work stoppage that could hamstring fall fertilizer deliveries. Specifically, TFI encouraged parties to leverage recommendations made this week by the Presidential Emergency Board (PEB), which has been engaging with rail carriers and rail labor toward a contract resolution.
TFI thanked members of the PEB for hearing all sides, providing measured recommendations, and urging all parties to swiftly reach a compromise and contract agreement. Both sides have until Sept. 16 to evaluate the PEB’s recommendations during a mandated 30-day cooling-off period.
“Uncertainty of this nature is not farmers’ friend, so speedy resolution is paramount,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “Over half of all fertilizer moves by rail year-round throughout the United States and the timeliness and reliability of fertilizer shipments is important year-round. If farmers do not receive fertilizer, it results in lower crop yields, higher food prices, and more inflation.”
