US House approves bill to block rail strike and mandate paid sick leave

Lawmakers vote to impose tentative contract deal on a dozen unions as Bernie Sanders calls for sick-day amendment

The House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to approve a bill to block a potentially crippling US rail strike - but also to mandate paid sick time for the workers.

In the US Senate, Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats, announced that he would object to fast-tracking Joe Biden's proposal that Congress impose an industrial settlement, until he can get a roll-call vote on the amendment that would guarantee seven paid sick days for rail workers.