A rail strike as early as December 10th appeared imminent since all twelve participating unions were required to vote in favor of ratifying the tentative agreement negotiated under the auspices of the Presidential Emergency Board. The tentative agreement would improve efficiency of the U.S. rail system through scheduling of services and job assignments. At issue were arrangements for work schedules and inadequate paid time off for sickness that  concerned  employees of the unions failing to ratify the agreement.

The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way-Employees Division, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen and the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers  voted to reject the agreement requiring 11th hour bargaining with the National Carriers Conference Committee, representing the rail operators.

Since negotiations failed, Congress was obliged to intervene before the December recess, applying powers vested by existing legislation.  A rail strike even of short duration would have been extremely damaging to the economy with a daily loss projected to exceed $2 billion. Action by unions would have been be disruptive for agriculture, given the concurrent problem of reduced barge capacity along the Mississippi waterway system. (See STOP PRESS Posting on Congressional action)