After all the supply chain problems the United States has suffered in the last two years, the very last thing the nation needs is a railroad strike. Unfortunately, it could happen any day now, as soon as Dec. 5.

Of the two biggest unions representing rail workers, one voted narrowly last week to accept a new contract with a 24% pay increase and a $1,000 annual bonus for its workers. But one division of the other union, known by its acronym SMART-TD, voted narrowly to reject the contract. This means that a significant share of the railroads’ train and engine service workers could walk out next week, and if they go on strike, all the other unions will join them.
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