Amtrak is canceling all long-distance trains beginning Thursday in anticipation of a potential rail strike that could cut service across the country.
The move comes as negotiations between several unions and major carriers continue, with strikes that could begin as early as Friday should a resolution not be found. It would be the first such strike in nearly 30 years.
Amtrak canceled its long-haul routes, even though its workers are not part of the labor dispute, because many of its long routes use railroad tracks that are owned by railroads involved in the discussions.
“Amtrak is closely monitoring the ongoing freight rail-rail labor contract negotiations. The negotiations do not involve Amtrak or the Amtrak workforce. While we are hopeful that parties will reach a resolution, Amtrak has now begun phased adjustments to our service in preparation for a possible freight rail service interruption later this week,” an Amtrak spokesperson told the Washington Examiner on Thursday.
TIME RUNNING OUT TO AVOID RAIL STRIKE THREATENING ‘SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC DAMAGE’
Service in the Northeastern part of the country, where Amtrak is quite popular, will likely not be affected, given that Amtrak owns most of those tracks. The popular Acela route, which runs from Washington, D.C., to Boston, will continue to operate a full schedule.
“While we are hopeful that parties will reach a resolution, Amtrak has now begun phased adjustments to our service in preparation for a possible freight rail service interruption later this week,” the company said Wednesday.
The major rail carriers and associated unions have until Friday to reach an agreement on contract negotiations before a cooling-off period lapses and workers are permitted to strike. Should that happen, thousands of trains and the goods they are carrying could be stuck in place, resulting in severe economic consequences for the economy, which is already grappling with supply chain problems.
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The nationwide rail service disruption brought on by a strike would “dramatically impact economic output” and could cost upward of $2 billion per day, according to a report by the Association of American Railroads.
