Unions say workers are seeking improvements to working conditions, accusing rail companies of penalizing workers for taking time off for medical reasons.
Should a strike happen, Americans will feel the effects in their wallets, Swonk said.
"We already have an economy that's slowing and inflation that's persistently high -- that's a bad situation to be in. To add this extra layer where we could see an acceleration in some prices and an inability to get some goods entirely because they're no longer available, that's a very, very bad place to be," Swonk said.
While Amtrak and its workforce are not involved in negotiations, it had already begun "phased adjustments" to its service in preparation for a possible freight rail service interruption.MORE: UK rail, postal workers cancel strikes after queen's deathUnions still at the table are continuing to call for better time-off policies for their workers. And as the Friday deadline looms, government officials are stepping in.
A freight train with BNSF locomotives traverses a grade crossing along a CSX line Aug. 26, 2022, near Albion, Ind.A presidential emergency board, assembled last month by the Biden administration, issued recommendations for a compromise between the unions and rail companies. The recommendations included a 24% raise from 2020 to 2024 and bonus increases, but they omitted the union's demand for a new time-off policy.
A Department of Labor spokesperson said, "Secretary Walsh continues to lead discussions at the Department of Labor between the rail companies and unions. The parties are negotiating in good faith and have committed to staying at the table today."
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