Amtrak is canceling trips on some long-distance routes out of Chicago, as the deadline for a possible strike by freight rail workers looms.
FILE - A Norfolk Southern freight train passes a train on a siding as it approaches a crossing in Homestead, Pa., Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Freight railroads and their unions are facing increasing pressure from business groups and the White House to settle their contract dispute. They face a looming strike deadline on Friday, Sept. 16, and business groups say a stoppage halting deliveries of raw materials and finished products that so many companies rely on would be an economic disaster.
“These adjustments are necessary to ensure trains can reach their terminals prior to freight railroad service interruption if a resolution in negotiations is not reached,” Amtrak officials said in a statement.Federal law bars a freight railroad strike or lockout before Friday, and Congress could intervene and block a work stoppage if the unions and railroads can’t reach a deal by the end of the week. But Amtrak is only the latest agency to take preemptive steps beforehand.
Business groups and the White House have pressured the railroads and unions to resolve the contract dispute because of concerns over the economic impact of halting shipments of materials so many companies rely on. The Association of American Railroads trade group put out a report last week estimating that shutting down the railroads would cost the economy $2 billion a day.
But the two biggest unions representing conductors and engineers have been holding out because they want the railroads to go beyond those recommendations and address concerns about strict attendance policies that they say make it hard to take any time off, and increasing workloads after the railroads cut nearly one-third of their workforces in recent years.
Argentina Últimas Noticias, Argentina Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Amtrak cancels some long-distance trips as freight strike threat loomsAny disruption would affect a passenger rail industry already weakened by 2 1/2 years of the pandemic.
Leer más »
Unions accuse railroads of 'corporate terrorism' as strike deadline nearsTwo major rail labor unions that remain holdouts in a deal with railroads accused the companies of 'corporate terrorism' as looming strike fears grow.
Leer más »
Railroad Dispute: White House Tries To Avert $2 Billion A Day Transportation StrikeBiden administration officials have begun to prepare for a strike that could shut down thousands of freight trains as well as disrupt passenger operations.
Leer más »
Pressure Mounts on US Railroads and Unions to Reach a DealFreight railroads and their unions are facing increasing pressure from business groups and the White House to settle their contract dispute. They face a looming strike deadline on Friday and business groups say a stoppage halting deliveries of raw materials and finished products that so many companies rely on would be an economic disaster. The railroads have announced eight of the 13 deals they need to avert a strike, but two key unions representing conductors and engineers want the railroads to go beyond the 24% raises they are offering to address their concerns about working conditions.
Leer más »