Second rail union rejects deal, raising strike threat anew

Yet another union voted down a proposed contract with the freight railroad industry Wednesday, again pushing the nation toward an economically crippling rail strike as soon as next month.

Wednesday’s vote by the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen makes it the second rail union to reject a compromise since mid-September, when eleventh-hour deal-making by the Biden administration averted the threat of an immediate work stoppage.

Despite that momentary political victory, a strike could still happen as soon as Nov. 19 unless 12 rail unions approve their contracts, or Congress steps into the fray — another looming dark cloud for the U.S. economy as voters head to the polls for the midterm elections.

The stakes could not be higher. The freight rail industry, which is responsible for moving some 40 percent of long-haul goods, is critical to the nation’s economy — including supplies needed for electricity and drinking water, not to mention commodities like food and gifts for the holiday season. For that reason, Congress would face immense pressure to intervene if a strike appeared imminent.