What's going on with the train strike?


What's going on with the train strike? WASHINGTON — Congress acted on Thursday to avert a nationwide rail strike, clearing legislation personally requested by President Biden that would impose a labor agreement between rail companies and their workers.


Why do rail workers not get sick days?

For years, freight rail workers weren't allowed to call in sick the morning of their shift. They could, however, get approval weeks in advance to take paid personal days. CSX was the first to grant paid sick days to several of its unions and has now granted sick days to 61% of its 17,089 unionized employees.


Can railroad workers call in sick?

For years, freight rail workers weren't allowed to call in sick the morning of their shift. They could, however, get approval weeks in advance to take paid personal days. CSX was the first to grant paid sick days to several of its unions and has now granted sick days to 61% of its 17,089 unionized employees.


What products will be affected by train strike?

A prolonged rail strike could create all types of shortages, from gasoline to food to automobiles, and cause a spike in the prices of all types of consumer goods. It can screw up the commutes of tens of thousands of workers who take the train to work, slow the delivery of parts and force factories to shut down.


Will the train strike affect groceries?

The nation's supply of food could take a hit if railroad workers go on strike, driving up prices at the grocery store and limiting U.S. grain exports to countries facing famine.


How much does a railroad strike cost per day?

A strike would cause $2 billion a day in lost economic output, according to the Association of American Railroads, which lobbies on behalf of rail companies.


Will a railroad strike affect truck drivers?

Supply Squeezes If railroad workers went on strike, drayage freight truckers would lack the necessary equipment to handle the supply capacity of a freight train. With less space to transport goods via trucks, it would take longer to move the same amount of product.


When can rail workers strike again?

Under the law that controls rail labor, the unions can go back out on strike after Congress returns to session for five days.


How will railroad strike affect groceries?

The nation's supply of food could take a hit if railroad workers go on strike, driving up prices at the grocery store and limiting U.S. grain exports to countries facing famine.


How bad will a railroad strike be?

A potential strike could lead to $2 billion a day in lost economic output, according to the Association of American Railroads, which lobbies on behalf of rail companies. Freight railroads are responsible for carrying 40% of the nation's long-haul freight and a work stoppage could jeopardize these shipments.


Did Biden block the rail strike?

WASHINGTON, Dec 2 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden signed legislation Friday to block a national U.S. railroad strike that could have devastated the American economy.


Will rail workers strike affect Amtrak?

If a strike were to occur, Amtrak would have to cancel most of its trains outside the Northeast Corridor, as they operate on tracks owned and controlled by freight railroads. Amtrak owns just 3% of the routes its trains travel.


What did Biden do to rail workers?

After campaigning as the most pro-union presidential candidate in history, Biden signed into law a measure that makes a rail strike illegal.


Can rail workers strike anyway?

Under the Railway Labor Act, the federal agency that oversees railroad and airline labor relations is the National Mediation Board, which tries to bring the two sides together, and it set up a series of limits and cooling off periods during which unions can not strike and management can not lock out the workers.