Minnesota commuters may be affected by possible national railroad strike

Business and government officials are bracing for the possibility of a nationwide rail strike at the end of this week while talks carry on between the largest U.S. freight railroads and their unions.

The railroads had already started to curtail shipments of hazardous materials as of Wednesday and have announced plans to stop hauling refrigerated products ahead of Friday's strike deadline. Now businesses that rely on Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, BNSF, CSX, Kansas City Southern and other railroads to deliver their raw materials and finished products have started planning for the worst.

While a potential strike would involve freight railroad workers, any work stoppage would also affect passenger rail service that uses those freight lines. In Minnesota, that includes Amtrak's Empire Builder service as well as Metro Transit's Northstar Commuter Rail.

Possible service disruption on Minnesota passenger rail

Metro Transit on Wednesday alerted Northstar passengers that service could be disrupted starting Friday if there is a strike. The Northstar line is operated under contract with BNSF; Metro Transit says it's planning to provide replacement bus service from Northstar stations on Friday if there is a strike.

“Customers who plan to use Northstar on or after September 16 are encouraged to plan ahead and watch for updates,” Metro Transit reported.

Amtrak has suspended Empire Builder service that crosses Minnesota on its route between Chicago and Seattle amid concerns that there wouldn’t be enough time for the trains to reach their destinations before a strike or lockout would be allowed to begin at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

Meanwhile, officials from President Joe Biden’s administration are scrambling to develop a plan to use trucks, ships and planes to try to keep the most crucial chemicals and other goods moving if the railroads stop rolling. The White House is also keeping the pressure on the two sides to settle their differences, and a growing number of business groups are lobbying Congress to be prepared to intervene and block a strike if they can't reach an agreement.

“We have made crystal clear to the interested parties the harm that American families, business and farmers and communities would experience if they were not to reach a resolution,” White House press secretary Jean-Pierre said Tuesday. She said a shutdown is “not acceptable.”

Amtrak also has suspended its California Zephyr line on the West Coast, and starting Wednesday it will stop running its City of New Orleans, Starlight and Texas Eagle lines along with several others.

Other commuter railroads would also be affected. In Chicago, Metra warned its riders that it wouldn’t be able to run most of its trains if there is a strike.

Some unions reach agreements, but all must agree to avert strike

The railroads have reached tentative agreements with most of their unions, including a ninth deal announced Tuesday, based on the recommendations of a Presidential Emergency Board that President Joe Biden appointed this summer that called for 24 percent raises and $5,000 in bonuses in a five-year deal that’s retroactive to 2020. The deal also includes one additional paid leave day a year and higher health insurance costs.

But all 12 railroad unions must agree to prevent a strike. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union that represents engineers, and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers union that represents conductors want the railroads to address some of their concerns about unpredictable work schedules and strict attendance rules in addition to agreeing to the recommended wage increases.

Ron Kaminkow, general secretary of the Railroad Workers United labor coalition that includes workers from a variety of railroad unions, said he doesn't think the unions are demanding much at this point — just the kind of things most U.S. workers already enjoy like the ability to take time off without being penalized.

“We have attendance policies that have gotten more and more and more draconian. That offer very, very little leeway for workers who need to take time off for doctor’s appointments, for time with family, to be rested,” Kaminkow said.

Starting Monday, all the major railroads put a hold on shipments of hazardous materials to ensure those dangerous chemicals wouldn't be stranded along the tracks if there is a strike. Norfolk Southern told its customers that it will also stop accepting shipments of intermodal containers full of goods starting Wednesday evening as it prepares “for a controlled shutdown of the network.”

BNSF, one of Minnesota's principal railroads, said it is no longer accepting temperature-controlled containers, such as refrigeration units full of food, as of Wednesday. That's in anticipation that the shipments could be stranded and possibly damaged if there is a strike.

Some businesses would likely be affected more than others by a rail shutdown. For instance, nearly all ethanol and coal and most grain in the U.S. moves by rail.

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