Staffing shortages amongst railway workers that began before the COVID-19 pandemic have been exacerbated by the shutdown and led to dangerous work conditions. Efforts to alleviate supply chain issues have largely focused on shipping and trucking, and overworked and underpaid freight rail workers are seeking to address these problems. Biden's presidential emergency board, as per the Railway Labor Act, recently released recommendations on August 16th to encourage compromise between railroad executives and the railroad unions. However, most unions have yet to respond, and it is unclear if railway workers will strike if no agreement is made.
See "Soaring labor tensions may lead to railroad strike", Ian Kullgren, Bloomberg Law, August 22, 2022