Biden administration officials are continuing to push for a resolution between major freight companies and unions representing thousands of rail workers after some unsuccessful negotiations over the weekend, multiple outlets reported.
A cargo train crosses a railroad.
The Washington Post reported on Monday that the White House is holding emergency meetings and preparing for a strike that will take effect on Friday, citing sources familiar with the situation.
Last week, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh met with both sides to try to broker a deal.
Most unions were able to reach tentative agreements with dozens of major freight companies based on recommendations from a special panel appointed by President Joe Biden, but the two biggest unions representing 57,000 engineers and conductors have not yet reached a deal.
Some unions said the announcement was intended to encourage Congress to intervene to prevent workers from striking, as they have the ability to.
The strike will cost the economy $2 billion a day.
The Association of American Railroads says a strike could shut down 30% of the country's freight services. Commuter rail systems depend on tracks owned by freight railroads, which could lead to the shut down of some 7,000 freight trains.
One of the unions that hasn't reached a deal is the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. Punishing engineers and conductors for getting sick or going to a doctor's visit should be stopped, the group said, adding no "working-class American should be treated with this level of harassment in the workplace for simply becoming ill or going to a routine medical visit."
Railroads and workers have been in negotiations for more than a year. According to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, the Presidential Emergency Board did not include enough proposals for improved working conditions when it recommended a 24% wage increase and $5,000 in annual bonuses for rail workers. Engineers and conductors were fired for attending doctor's appointments. Employees are forced to work 12-hour shifts with few sick days at some rail companies. Congress should stay out of the dispute and encourage freight companies to accept their conditions, according to rail workers' unions. The dispute has posed a dilemma for Biden, who has pledged to be the "most pro-union president" ever, but wants to avoid more economic damage before the election.
Railroads and unions are trying to avoid strike and supply shortages.
The White House is scrambling to avoid a rail strike.
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