Rail Strike Brinksmanship Looms Over Holidays
NOVEMBER 25, 2022  BY WATERWAYS JOURNAL
Even if a threatened rail strike is averted at the 11th hour on December 4—the expiration of the “cooling-off” period for one of the rail unions—we are already being affected by it. There is some confusion about when a strike would actually begin because another union’s cooling off period ends December 8. 

According to federal safety measures, railroad carriers begin officially preparing for a strike seven days before the announced strike date, although most begin earlier than that. The carriers start to prioritize the securing and movement of security-sensitive materials like chlorine for drinking water and hazardous materials. Chemicals are not transported in the 96 hours before a strike date. 

https://www.waterwaysjournal.net/2022/11/25/rail-strike-brinksmanship-looms-over-holidays/