On October 27th, a letter signed by numerous trade and agricultural organizations was forwarded to the President urging intervention by the Administration in the ongoing labor dispute between railway worker unions and carriers.  A tentative agreement on September 15th achieved with the assistance of the Secretaries of Labor and Transportation was adopted by six unions.  Two unions have rejected the terms and four others have yet to vote.

The letter supported Administration leadership on the issue including a Presidential Emergency Board that facilitated a tentative agreement but urged the White House to continue involvement in negotiations.  Failure to reach agreement will result in a strike that would have significant impact on the U.S. economy and contribute further to inflation. The disruption caused by a rail strike would be amplified by the current impediment to transportation along the Mississippi river and tributaries. This parallel traffic crisis is restricting barge traffic southbound for agricultural commodities and northbound for fertilizer.

In the event of a strike call, a cooling off period can be mandated and Congress may intervene.  It is noted that after a short lame-duck session in late November, Congress will be in recess, creating a level of urgency to adopt a new contract embracing the remaining six unions.