With Amtrak Strike Looming, Commuters Brace for Shutdowns

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0108/488156.html

Commuters stranded from Virginia to Massachusetts. A flood of extra cars on already congested highways. That nightmare could become a reality unless a dispute between Amtrak and nine unions is resolved by January 30th.

There's never been a strike in Amtrak's 36-year history. And it's likely that one will be averted this time, too, because Congress can intervene if there's no agreement.



But if the workers do walk out, the 71,000 people who take Amtrak every day won't be the only ones who suffer. Hundreds of thousands of people who ride commuter trains also would have their plans disrupted.

That's because many commuter rail services use Amtrak's infrastructure. In some cases - such as the Virginia Railway Express and MARC - Amtrak employees actually staff the commuter services.

Commuter lines are scrambling to come up with backup plans. But officials warn there's no way they'll be able to accommodate all the travelers who would be displaced.

[MadMaddie]

1. Why are they striking?

[Omaha Steve]

2. No raise in years (6 I think)

After years without a contract, eight unions representing Amtrak maintenance workers and dispatchers could stage the first strike in the railroad's history, as early as Jan. 30.

[MadMaddie]

3. Then it is time for them to strike.