Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
SAN DIEGO (CNS) - President Joe Biden said today that a tentative rail
labor agreement has been reached averting a potential strike that would
have affected train commuters and supply chains throughout San Diego.
Amtrak was bracing for potential large-scale disruptions in service
because of the looming nationwide rail strike that was set to begin at midnight
Friday.
In a statement released Thursday, Biden said the agreement is "an
important win for our economy and the American people. It is a win for tens of
thousands of rail workers who worked tirelessly through the pandemic to ensure
that America*s families and communities got deliveries of what have kept us
going during these difficult years."
Several unions representing tens of thousands of rail workers were at
an impasse with railroad companies, seeking more predictable schedules and work
conditions. Of the 12 unions, nine had agreed to tentative deals as of
Wednesday while the others remained at the bargaining table.
"We are hopeful that a resolution will be reached prior to Thursday
but as the parties have not yet reached an agreement, we are doing everything
we can to notify our customers and provide alternate service options if the
rail service is interrupted," Jason Jewell, interim Managing Director of the
LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency said on Wednesday. "We have closely coordinated
with Amtrak and Metrolink to maximize service options for our customers
including providing bus bridges where possible."
A rail strike would have also impacted the ports of Los Angeles and
Long Beach, which rely on trains to ship cargo. Gene Seroka, executive director
of the Port of Los Angeles, was scheduled to hold a news briefing Thursday
morning to address the situation.
Metrolink and Amtrak are not directly involved in the negotiations,
but a strike would have an impact on service.
Metrolink was preparing to cancel some or all trains in Orange,
Ventura and Riverside counties beginning at 8 p.m. Thursday. All Ventura County
Line service would operate only between Los Angeles and Moorpark, and Metrolink
would offer alternate transportation beyond Moorpark.
A full list of possible Metrolink cancellations is available at
Amtrak announced that it was preparing to cancel long-distance trains
beginning Thursday, including routes beginning in Chicago, Seattle and New
Orleans with a final destination in Los Angeles.
"While we are hopeful that parties will reach a resolution, Amtrak
has now begun phased adjustments to our service in preparation for a possible
freight rail service interruption later this week,'' Amtrak said in a statement
Wednesday. "Such an interruption could significantly impact intercity
passenger rail service."
Copyright 2022, City News Service, Inc.
Reader Comments(0)