Amtrak is continuing to suspend its long-distance train routes as a potential freight strike looms, according to Reuters, as many of its routes run on tracks owned, maintained and operated by freight railroad companies.
The Northeast corridor route that connects Washington, DC with New York and Boston would not be affected, as it is owned by Amtrak.
Freight companies and their unions are threatening to strike as contract negotiations with the House White continue, and around 125,000 workers could strike as early as Friday, Bloomberg reported. The economic consequences of a rail strike could be disastrous and exacerbate existing supply chain problems.
Most of the unions have already come to tentative agreements, according to the National Carriers’ Conference Committee, Bloomberg reported, but those union members also said they would not go back to work unless a deal is agreed upon for the entire group.
“Amtrak is closely monitoring the ongoing freight rail-rail labor contract negotiations and is hopeful that parties will reach a resolution soon,” an Amtrak spokesperson said, adding that “the negotiations do not involve Amtrak or the Amtrak workforce.”
The White House didn’t respond to a request for comment.
