[Tilted Irish Kilt]

I don't recall precisely, but I believe that the unions have been operating without a contract
for the last three years.
Some of the sticking points have been a staffing shortage,
and use of sick time (especially during the covid concerns).

[woodbutcher1963]

I am not a Union Guy. In fact I hate unions. Mostly because my dad was forced to be a Teamster when he was an owner operator semi truck driver.

All that being said, I do not blame the union railroad workers for striking. The management of the six major North American railroads have done a terrible job running their railroads in the last three years. They cut staff to a minimum to increase profitability. To the point that they literally did not have enough people/crews to run the trains.

Their service was terrible for three years. Again, pushing companies in the lumber industry to rely more on trucks than rail shipments.
Their employees are overworked. Their sick leave system is complete BS.

So, IMHO I do not blame them for striking.