Rail strike move shakes labor's faith in Biden and Walsh

Why it matters: The credibility of Biden's commitment to the labor movement is being questioned by the very types of voters the president will need in 2024.

• As Biden's labor secretary, Walsh's reputation took a hit in the eyes of some union workers that could threaten his own political support should he run for office again.
• It's also Walsh's job now to mend fences with unions.

What they're saying: "Quite frankly, [Biden] shouldn't be involved in this. ... I thought he was better than that. I'm quite disappointed with him. I hope he kind of has a change of heart about this," MBTA Commuter Rail worker Chuck Abbate told GBH News at a protest against Biden in Boston last week.

Labor isn't hiding that they feel betrayed by Biden, Walsh and other Democrats in Congress.

• In a statement after the Senate passed the bill to halt the strike, AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler wrote "it’s deeply disappointing that 43 senators sided with multibillion-dollar rail corporations to block desperately needed paid sick days."

Walsh says he and Biden are committed to winning the sick leave benefit they left out of the emergency settlement.

• "I’m going to do everything in my power ... to continue to fight for sick time not [just] for the rail workers but for other workers as well," Walsh told the Boston Globe.