I didn’t know there was a special situation with railroads. Thanks for the knowledge. But still, unions being unions, can they all get sick or slow-roll shipments?
Sick time is a major issue of contention in this negotiation. The unions don't have much (if any) of it.
Railroads run on tight schedules. Any attempt to slow-roll shipments will be dealt with severely under the threat of Federal action. The unions could run the risk of having themselves decertified.
When I worked for UPRR as a programmer, all managers had to pitch in and run the trains. Believe me, the RRs will be operation in but on a reduced schedule.