Trade

Rail Strike Threat Dredges Up New Fears of US Supply-Chain Havoc

  • Manufacturing of everything from diapers to airplanes at risk
  • Companies urge negotiators to reach deal before deadline hits
US Railroads, Union Avert Strike With Tentative Deal
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In a short time, a critical cog of the American economy could come to an abrupt halt.

Unions and freight railroads that transport about 40% of all long-haul cargo in the US have until the end of Thursday in Washington to agree to a labor deal. If they fail, more than 100,000 railroad workers could walk off the job or be locked out, paralyzing a linchpin of the country’s supply chain.