Amtrak Unions Return to Bargaining Table, January 30 Strike Possible

Amtrak workers could strike the national rail system - impacting local service on both Amtrak and VRE -- as early as January 30. Armed with a Presidential Emergency Board recommendation that Amtrak agree to the union position, bargaining resumed Wednesday between Amtrak and several unions. Amtrak workers have gone eight years without a new contract, and if they can't reach agreement, there could be a nationwide Amtrak strike January 30th. "It would be a nationwide strike," says Don Griffin, Director of Strategic Coordination and Research for the Teamsters. "It would have impact on the freight railroads and it would have a substantial effect on commuter operations from Boston to Washington." Griffin adds that "The last thing we want to do is go on strike. We were just unable to get to the point where we had serious discussions with Amtrak." Bargaining between Amtrak and nine unions was scheduled to last at least through Friday. Click here to hear the complete story on Labor Radio. For details on how a strike would affect VRE service, click here. - reported by Doug Cunningham, Workers Independent News Service