In an attempt to prevent a shutdown of US railroads, the US Labor Secretary is hosting discussions with railroad union officials to encourage compromise between the unions and the rail companies. A work stoppage on the railroads would be detrimental to the US economy, and industry groups have been calling on Congress to help facilitate an agreement before the approaching grain season of harvest and holiday shopping seasons. If no agreement is made by Friday, rail workers will go on strike and employers may lock out workers, further exacerbating backlogs from equipment shortages before the contract negotiations.
See "US Dept of Labor hosts roundtable with railroad union leaders to encourage contract agreement with rail companies", David Shepardson and Lisa Baertlein, Reuters, September 14, 2022