WASHINGTON — Over 320 trade associations, including the National Chicken Council (NCC), the National Cattleman’s Beef Association and the North American Meat Institute, wrote to the Biden administration, urging the administration to further work with railroad unions and operators to reach an agreement on worker conditions and commissions.

So far, only six of the 12 railroad unions have voted to ratify the agreement. The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division was the first to reject a proposed deal. After the latest rejection of a tentative agreement by the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen union, the associations fear a strike.

“Unfortunately, we have seen two unions reject the agreement and there are concerns that others may follow,” the associations wrote in the letter. “If that were to be the case, we could witness a strike that would shut down the entire freight rail system. Because the White House played such a central role in the process, we believe it can be helpful in continuing to move the process forward in a positive direction.”

NCC voiced concerns of the repercussions a strike would have on members’ production and on the supply chain.

“Our members rely on about 27 million bushels of corn and 11 million bushels of soybean meal every week to feed their chickens,” said Mike Brown, president of NCC. “Much of that is moved by rail. Any disruption of service could negatively impact the welfare of the birds, and ultimately impact production at a time when Americans are already dealing with record food inflation. We are pleased to see a tentative deal has been reached and look forward to its swift approval.”