Thursday, 28 Aug 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > Amtrak Cancels Long-Distance Trains as Rail-Strike Deadline Draws Near
World

Amtrak Cancels Long-Distance Trains as Rail-Strike Deadline Draws Near

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
Amtrak Cancels Long-Distance Trains as Rail-Strike Deadline Draws Near
SHARE

(Bloomberg) — Amtrak canceled all long-distance trains starting Thursday as White House-led talks between freight-rail companies and unions continued in a race to avoid a rail-system shutdown Friday.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The company has already started phased adjustments as a work stoppage could hurt passenger-rail services on the routes on which it operates on tracks owned and maintained by freight railroads, Amtrak said in a statement Wednesday. The Northeast Corridor route linking Washington, New York and Boston isn’t part of the planned shutdown, because Amtrak runs its own lines.

The fallout is growing even before the shutdown while the labor talks drag on and cargo operators pull back against the threat of a walkout by about 125,000 freight-rail workers come Friday. A strike would potentially cost the world’s biggest economy more than $2 billion a day.

“We’ve been engaging with the parties and our message continues to be that the labor unions and the railroads need to find the deal space to avoid any kind of disruption,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told reporters in Detroit. “Of course, we’re preparing for any contingency” should a strike happen, but the administration’s goal is to prevent a stoppage, he said.

The stoppage would be the largest of its kind since 1992, and it would snarl a wide range of goods transported by rail — from food to metal and auto parts — in addition to travel chaos for thousands of commuters. The White House is considering an emergency decree to keep key goods flowing.

Any cancellations in passenger services are a disruption for Americans and underscore why the dispute must be resolved as soon as possible, a White House official said in response to Amtrak’s announcement. The unions and railroads are continuing to negotiate in good faith to avert a shutdown of freight-rail lines, the official added.

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh is leading the negotiations, which continued through lunch without a break, a Labor Department spokesperson said.

A Biden-appointed board last month issued a set of recommendations to resolve the dispute, including wage increases and better health coverage. But the proposal did not include terms on scheduling, attendance and other issues important to the two unions holding out for a deal, affiliates of the Teamsters Union and of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers. Together, they represent about 60,000 employees.

They have complained that under rail companies’ punitive attendance policies, employees can be and have been fired for getting sick or going to the doctor. The companies have said they provide paid time off that employees can use for medical appointments.

Senate Republicans failed Wednesday in a bid to force labor unions and railroads to resolve a fight over contract negotiations after Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, objected, arguing freight rail workers need better sick leave.

A growing number of industry groups are urging Congress to act to avoid a strike with the National Retail Federation saying Wednesday that lawmakers should implement the emergency board’s recommendation to avoid a “catastrophic shudown” of the freight-rail system.

A rail strike would be “potentially disastrous,” with “dire consequences that will cascade throughout the economy if a strike actually occurs,” Business Roundtable Chief Executive Officer Joshua Bolten told reporters.

Supply-chain issues would be “geometrically magnified by the rail strike, and that’s not just the occasional Amazon box showing up two days later than it should — these are critical materials” such as chlorine to keep water clean that would be delayed, Bolten said.

If all 7,000 long-distance freight trains available in the US stopped running, the country would need an extra 460,000 long-haul trucks daily to make up for the lost capacity, which isn’t possible because of equipment availability and driver shortages, American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear said in a letter to Congress.

The trucking industry — dealing with labor issues of its own — faces a deficit of 80,000 drivers nationwide, he wrote.

A majority of the 12 unions involved has either reached or finalized tentative agreements with employers, according to the National Carriers’ Conference Committee, which represents rail companies including BNSF Railway, CSX Corp., Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern Corp. and Union Pacific Corp. in collective bargaining.

However, members of those unions also would refuse to work unless a deal is reached with the whole group.

Earlier, almost 5,000 workers represented by the International Association of Machinists rejected the contract, complicating efforts to avoid a nationwide strike.

The union members gave leadership the green light to strike if necessary. IAM District 19 said it also agreed to an extension until Sept. 29 to allow negotiations to continue.

(Updates with comment from transportation secretary in fifth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

©2022 Bloomberg L.P.

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Patagonia Founder Gives Away the Company to Fight Climate Change Patagonia Founder Gives Away the Company to Fight Climate Change
Next Article Hillicon Valley — Iranians indicted in hacking scheme Hillicon Valley — Iranians indicted in hacking scheme

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

Sugar Cream Pie (Hoosier Pie) – The Recipe Critic

This web site could comprise affiliate hyperlinks and promoting in order that we are able…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

TV Author Spike Feresten Auctioning Motorbike to Assist Palisades Hearth Victims

TV Author Spike Feresten Purchase My Motorbike, Assist Palisades Excessive Revealed March 12, 2025 4:31…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Chamber looks to increase engagement

Jul. 6—The Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce is creating a United Nations-style program.Only in this…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Job Openings Remained Elevated in December Despite Omicron Surge

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus has disrupted business and kept millions of people home…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

Second girl accuses ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan of sexual misconduct
World

Second girl accuses ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan of sexual misconduct

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Minister refuses to disclaim experiences Rachel Reeves contemplating tax improve for landlords in price range – UK politics reside
World

Minister refuses to disclaim experiences Rachel Reeves contemplating tax improve for landlords in price range – UK politics reside

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Porepunkah police capturing reside updates: unhealthy climate in Victoria to hamper manhunt as police affirm no sightings of suspect since Tuesday – newest information
World

Porepunkah police capturing reside updates: unhealthy climate in Victoria to hamper manhunt as police affirm no sightings of suspect since Tuesday – newest information

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Australia politics stay: Usman Khawaja to debate playing adverts with Albanese; pollies gown up for Midwinter Ball
World

Australia politics stay: Usman Khawaja to debate playing adverts with Albanese; pollies gown up for Midwinter Ball

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?