Democratic leaders vowed to take up legislation to force a rail contract deal early Wednesday, despite objections from union members — and some in their own caucus — who raised concerns that the plan would not provide any paid sick days for workers, the Wall Street Journal reported. That commitment threatened to plunge the divided, election-weary Capitol into yet another high-stakes, year-end debate, one that appeared to leave both parties’ lawmakers uneasy, as rail workers could strike as early as Dec. 9. While rail carriers and other industries have praised the proposed contract deal, brokered by the White House in September, discontent and anger quickly surfaced from rank-and-file rail workers from four unions that have since voted down the deal. The four unions represent more than half of the unionized rail workers. A rail strike would threaten the nation’s coal shipments and supply of drinking water while also shutting down passenger rail and shipments of goods as the holiday season revs up. The U.S. economy could lose $2 billion a day if rail workers strike, according to the Association of American Railroads, an industry trade group.
