Railroad Strike: Biden Reaches Out to Unions, Operators in Bid to Avert Stoppage

A White House official said that President Joe Biden and Cabinet officials were in contact with freight-rail companies and unions on Monday in an effort to avoid a strike.

The official who requested anonymity to share the discussions did not give any further information about the president's message.

The unions and freight-rail operators need to agree on a new contract by Friday. A White House official said earlier Monday that the administration made clear to the negotiators that a shutdown of the freight rail system was not an acceptable option for the economy.

Biden was Squeezed between unions and the economy by the rail- strike threat.

The president was involved after Labor Secretary Marty Walsh pressed unions and companies to reach a solution. Cabinet and administration officials have already made dozens of calls to representatives on both sides, and Walsh even postponed a trip to Europe to deal with the situation.

Biden and his fellow Democrats, who are trying to hold onto control of the House and Senate, are at risk of political risks if a strike happens. Supply-chain disruptions just months before the election could hurt Democrats and cause a dilemma for Biden, who has promised to be the most pro-union president in history.

Biden said he is a union guy during an appearance at Boston'sLogan International Airport. American union workers are the best trained and skilled workers in the world. It is the God's truth.

There would be averting the national rail strike.

Delivery of food and consumer goods could be affected by a work strike. If talks don't progress ahead of a possible walk-out, customers of the railroads will be warned of potential service disruptions.

A strike that could shut down rail operations across the country could be averted by congress.

If Congress fails to reach an agreement, there is a role for them. Legislation can be passed if necessary.

The Congress has the power to stop a rail work stop. Congress ended a national railroad strike less than a day after it began in 1991, after extending a no-strike rule for 60 days. The resolution was voted on by the house.

Augusta Saraiva and David Westin helped with the project.