Most of us already knew that. Here's the latest
Large rail union rejects deal, renewing strike possibility
Large rail union rejects deal, renewing strike possibility
Threat of freight RR strike in th US is not over
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tricia
Conductor
From the article: The "union said it agreed to delay any strike until five days after Congress reconvenes in mid November to allow time for additional negotiations."
So strike is still possible, but not immediately imminent.
So strike is still possible, but not immediately imminent.
What does the Congress have to do with this? Have the Union lost there voice? Do they need Uncle Biden to talk for them.
The Union needs to figure out what there members need, and then get it for them.
The Union needs to figure out what there members need, and then get it for them.
jis
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The political reality is that unless one keeps Congress on board it may be more prone to force the issue than if they are on board. Strikes can be blocked by two entities and you want to keep them on your side as much as possible.
it was never going to be immediate the layers of delays
congress can force the unions to not strike.
its pretty clear what members want, they want a predictable schedule and not to be working 24/7/365
The press release from the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division cites Nov. 14 as the date Congress convenes, and the 19th as the first day of a possible strike.
https://www.bmwe.org/secondary.aspx?id=700
You probably know this, but just in case you don't, I believe Amtrak was canceling trains in the days leading up to the potential strike the last time around, so that Amtrak workers and equipment were not stranded.
Gee, thanks for reminding me.
But seriously, that could be a problem. I'm on the southbound Meteor which would get into MIA on the 18th. I don't remember what Amtrak did with the Silvers last time; if they want to get them back to NY, well-ll-ll ...
At least I'd be in WAS, where there are lots of fairly cheap SWA flights to Orlando.
Seems like the gods just don't want me to make AGR Select status.
jis
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I have a similar problem over that weekend, but fortunately Orlando to New York and vice versa has more flights than one can shake a stick at and tickets are relatively easy to come by. I would just want Amtrak to refund the fare instead of giving me a voucher which I win;t get to use for ages at the rate Amtrak is going.Gee, thanks for reminding me.
But seriously, that could be a problem. I'm on the southbound Meteor which would get into MIA on the 18th. I don't remember what Amtrak did with the Silvers last time; if they want to get them back to NY, well-ll-ll ...
At least I'd be in WAS, where there are lots of fairly cheap SWA flights to Orlando.
Seems like the gods just don't want me to make AGR Select status.
Devil's Advocate
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Perhaps it would be advantageous to put a strike on hold to avoid actively undermining everyone who might be aligned with the cause?
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My trip is the week before your trip and it was a rebooking of my hurricane canceled trip. I am hoping to get to NYC second week in November, and not getting stuck there.Gee, thanks for reminding me.
But seriously, that could be a problem. I'm on the southbound Meteor which would get into MIA on the 18th. I don't remember what Amtrak did with the Silvers last time; if they want to get them back to NY, well-ll-ll ...
At least I'd be in WAS, where there are lots of fairly cheap SWA flights to Orlando.
Seems like the gods just don't want me to make AGR Select status.
Just in time for heavy thanksgiving travel, which starts Nov 23.
Mystic River Dragon
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I’m assuming on purpose? More publicity? More pressure?
For example, if they went on strike in a blizzard in mid-January, nobody would notice because they’d be at home anyway and not traveling.
Freight railroad workers aren't really focused on the impacts to passenger service. Especially since the areas with the biggest passenger ridership aren't really going to be significantly affected by a freight strike anyway. The NEC (and many, though not all, connecting commuter lines) would run. Most of Chicago Metra would run. Relatively few would notice beyond that.
On the other hand, shutting down shipping right before the holidays, further affecting supply chains and the need to get goods onto store shelves (or, rather, onto warehouse shelves) will be noticed.
fengshui
Train Attendant
I would not be surprised if the plan by both the unions and Biden was to kick the can down the road past the election.
jis
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I think there are not enough passengers with enough clout for them to bother with taking that into consideration. It is more about disruption of the supply chain in the big retail sale season more than anything else.
fengshui
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jis
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Notwithstanding that Amtrak ridership is not the reason for timing anything. They barely work even when the Sun is shining bright with no strike in sight.
yes all the bulk goods are there but it would delay a ton of packages, Fedex, UPS would be hard pressed to find tens of thousands of more drivers.
fillyjonk
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I am going to be very disappointed if the strike happens and prevents me from getting home to see my mom for Thanksgiving (too far to drive, and I don't fly). I get the RR workers' grievances, I feel like this is on the company leadership to bend a little, but it's still a situation that's going to suck for a lot of people (including me)
My trip is scheduled the 18th. I actually care more about "I can't get up there" than "I might not be able to get back after Thanksgiving,." I will just finish the semester remotely if I have to. I spent 2020 and much of 2021 not getting to see ANY relatives, so....I'm not cancelling on the off chance I might not get BACK.
I'm screwed if I can't get up there.
My trip is scheduled the 18th. I actually care more about "I can't get up there" than "I might not be able to get back after Thanksgiving,." I will just finish the semester remotely if I have to. I spent 2020 and much of 2021 not getting to see ANY relatives, so....I'm not cancelling on the off chance I might not get BACK.
I'm screwed if I can't get up there.
Things are very slow in the freight hauling business right now. As you stated the bulk good have been delivered. Also “tens of thousands” would need a citation. There a lot of inefficiency in the transportation business, but FedEx, UPS, Amazon the final mile is where they need drivers, and those drivers don’t need a CDL. Got some spare time available? They got packages for you to deliver.
Actually it like October, if not September. Freight rates are quite low, nothing moving right now. Walmart was the leader of destroying the seasonal rush. Ever see those containers in the back of a Walmart store, that your Christmas stuff waiting for the shopping season to begin. They noticed the amount of money there spending during the rush, and engineering a system to avoid the freight rates surge.
west point
Engineer
Our local WalMarts are stuffed with goods finally delivered. Where to place Christmas goods is a problem . Many goods now are so hight on shelves hard to access them.
Not really. I think Amazon is the only one that uses drivers to deliver in their "spare time," and they're recruiting in only a few cities: Actively Recruiting US Cities.
And if it's anything like driving for Uber or Lyft, your pay barely exceeds your expenses.
