Threat of a Nationwide Strike by U.S. Freight Railroad Workers Still Looms

Two unions have rejected a proposed deal with railroads, while six have approved it. Others are still deciding, with votes of the two largest rail workers’ unions coming mid-November. The earliest a rail strike could happen is late November. All 12 unions must approve the contracts with the railroads to prevent a strike.

There is no immediate threat of a walkout because the unions agreed to return to talks through at least late November to avoid an economically crippling strike. If the impasse persists, Congress may intervene and block a strike. Some of America’s top agricultural transporters are calling on congressional leaders to take swift action to avert a rail strike. A strike or lockout “would be catastrophic for the agricultural and broader U.S. economies. Congress must act to prevent this from occurring if the parties cannot reach agreement,” they said in a letter to congressional leaders.