The effect of the potential rail strike on Amtrak

[thully]

I’ve seen some say that the strike only applies to BNSF, UP, CSX, and NS - are they simply overlooking CN/CP because they have less tracks in the US being Canadian? Or is there some difference between the strike impact on those railways?

 

[zephyr17]

WSDOT posted an alert as well.

https://wsdotblog.blogspot.com/2022...bwzKK4iuUIYArlZfG8sArbRWN1nZwa247rormQ4i8&m=1

Interestingly, there was no notice on amtrakcascades.com itself when I looked a few minutes ago.

 

[zephyr17]

I’ve seen some say that the strike only applies to BNSF, UP, CSX, and NS - are they simply overlooking CN/CP because they have less tracks in the US being Canadian? Or is there some difference between the strike impact on those railways?

I think that is probably some bad reporting, likely due to "Canadian" in their names. Most reports I've seen say "six major freight railroads" which, of course, are the Big Six Class Is, BNSF, UP, CSX, NS, CN, and CP.

 

[zephyr17]

I'm waiting for a return call to change reservation due to the impending strike. It said it would be 30 minutes. It's been 2 hours. Should I try calling again or would that make phone wait worse? Is the phone line down due to being swamped is what I'm trying to find out also? I have a 40% off miles CS trip leaving friday morning 9/16. Hoping I can change to later and keep discount.

I'd call and get in line. If they call back, answer that and drop the wait.

According to their statement, they'll honor the price for a trip rebooked for travel by the end of October. Get in there and grab some space before its gone.

 

[glensfallsse]

Anyone know if the Ethan Allen is defined as a "long-distance train" and would be canceled? It's still showing reservations for Thursday and Friday.

 

[Dutchrailnut]

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/amt...-nationwide-over-looming-rail-strike/3865423/

 

[coalman]

I'd call and get in line. If they call back, answer that and drop the wait.

According to their statement, they'll honor the price for a trip rebooked for travel by the end of October. Get in there and grab some space before itswas not called back after 3 hrs. Made another call, got agent in 20 minutes. Offcially my 9/16 CS not cancelled, but rewards agent tried to rebook me at same points (14K) at very end of Sept. , but she had no roomettes. Online it showed they did have roomettes for 45K points but she could not refund the point difference if I booked online. So, don't wait for call back. Stay online. Wait

 

[zephyr17]

Anyone know if the Ethan Allen is defined as a "long-distance train" and would be canceled? It's still showing reservations for Thursday and Friday.

No, it's not, LDs are overnight and the Ethan Allen is a state-supported corridor train. As long as it can get off the CP's trackage well before midnight, it's okay for Thursday. The stretch on CP between Schenectady and where it turns off the Rouses Point line for Vermont is the only part subject to the strike. South of Schenectady, it is on Amtrak and MetroNorth controlled rail, and from where it leaves the Rouses Point line north is a Class II and not involved in this labor dispute (I think).

As to Friday, they are only cancelling the day before. They won't cancel Friday until tomorrow. They still might run it as far as Albany.

 

[joelkfla]

Washington Post (gifted):

Rail systems brace for shutdowns, Amtrak cancels routes as strike threat nears

 

[Chris I]

Interestingly, there was no notice on amtrakcascades.com itself when I looked a few minutes ago.

I think they need to just shut down that website. They are really bad about updating information in a timely matter. It can definitely confuse people.

 

[Rover]

So, let them strike ! ! ! (I've got toilet paper, thank you!!)

The Biden administration was putting pressure on railroads and unions Wednesday to settle their differences and avert a strike. But just in case that doesn’t work, the administration was also working on a plan to use trucks and planes to move goods that are normally carried by freight railroads.

The White House is clearly worried that any disruption in supply chains just weeks before the November midterm elections could anger consumers, who are already facing the highest inflation in 40 years. That could hurt Democrats, who are trying to protect razor-thin control of the Senate and House.

https://apnews.com/article/looming-rail-strike-what-to-know-c92a0e0039353d81ee9d64e53f0fa37c

 

[b243923]

Auto Train in both directions on the Amtrak website says cancelled September 15th, 16 is not marked cancelled yet.

 

[zephyr17]

Auto Train in both directions on the Amtrak website says cancelled September 15th, 16 is not marked cancelled yet.

At least people cancelled on Auto Train have alternative transportation

 

[iliketrains]

Amtrak to Suspend Long-Distance Services. I read in the Wall Street Journal.

 

[Palmland]

Amtrak to Suspend Long-Distance Services. I read in the Wall Street Journal.

And here it is, no surprise:

“Amtrak said it would suspend all long-distance train services on Thursday to avoid disruptions from a potential strike by freight rail workers, as negotiations between railroads and labor unions approach a Friday deadline.”

 

[Eric in East County]

Question: what happens if the strike does NOT take place? Will Amtrak reinstate all the long-distance trains it has cancelled? Will Amtrak allow passengers who had reservations on trains that were cancelled to rebook their reservations on the reinstated trains for same dates and accommodations and at the same price originally paid?

 

[Chris I]

In an effort to not disrupt other unions in the ratification process, an extension has been agreed to until Sept. 29 at 12 p.m. ET., IAM District 19 said in a statement.

Has anyone been able to confirm this little blurb?

https://www.axios.com/2022/09/14/railroad-unions-marty-walsh-rail-strike

 

[JoshP]

Update: As of hour ago, this news came out:

'"The Tentative Agreement has been rejected and the strike authorization vote was approved by IAM District 19 members," IAM District 19 said in a statement. "Out of respect for other unions in the ratification process, an extension has been agreed to until Sept. 29, 2022 at 12 p.m. ET. This extension will allow us to continue to negotiate changes with the NCCC in the hopes of achieving an agreement our membership would ratify.""

Congress said if they all fail not to reach an agreement, they will step in and block the strike and force them to go back to work until the agreement is reached. That date is September 29, 2022.

We hope the strike will be short so Amtrak can resume service in October.

 

[thully]

This link is in the article:

https://districtlodge19.org/negotia...-on-ratification-vote-on-tentative-agreement/
Basically, the IAM union membership rejected a tentative agreement that had been reached, but IAM extended their strike deadline to September 29th to not disrupt other unions in the ratification process. Just means that particular union wouldn’t strike until the 29th, though the other 2 without an agreement still could strike Friday.

 

[Kbyrdleroydogg]

I just made reservations for Thursday the 17th with a return for the 19th. Should I cancel it or wait this out?

 

[chubbycat]

This link is in the article:

https://districtlodge19.org/negotia...-on-ratification-vote-on-tentative-agreement/
Basically, the IAM union membership rejected a tentative agreement that had been reached, but IAM extended their strike deadline to September 29th to not disrupt other unions in the ratification process. Just means that particular union wouldn’t strike until the 29th, though the other 2 without an agreement still could strike Friday.

the latest news says:

1 rail union rejects deal, 2 accept ahead of strike deadline​

 

[TinCan782]

I just made reservations for Thursday the 17th with a return for the 19th. Should I cancel it or wait this out?

Train, locations? Perhaps calling Amtrak.

 

[joelkfla]

I just made reservations for Thursday the 17th with a return for the 19th. Should I cancel it or wait this out?

Thursday is the 15th.

 

[Jack Davis]

You need to look at the policy. Some travel insurance exclude losses caused by labor disputes.

The 'other' iconic ground transportation, Greyhound, is still running; maybe not as comfortable as the train but, they'll get you there.

 

[beatles78]

No, CN is one of the Class Is involved in this. The CONO is already being cancelled as part of the rolling daily cancellations in anticipation of the strike.

However, by 9/30 this episode of the saga should be over, likely by Congressional action. They can't let it go on for long, the economic damage would be too deep.

OMG nooooooo! But that is true, about the economy going even further down the toilet, so i'm sure Congress will take action. Thank you for your reply!