SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Rail workers across the country plan to go on strike by the end of the week if the nation’s railroads don’t make a deal with union leaders.
The strike stems from scheduling rules that require engineers and conductors with rail companies to be on call seven days a week.
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Amtrak has already suspended some routes in preparations for the strike.
“Now that I do know, it’s kinda, I’m a little, not scared but just kinda waiting to see what happens. I wasn’t aware so it’s good to know,” Michael Quinones said.
Quinones takes the SunRail to work and said he depends on the train because his car remains in the shop for repairs.
A spokesperson with the Florida Department of Transportation sent News 6 this statement that reads:
According to the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission, the average daily ridership for SunRail is nearly 4,000 per day.
“When I deal with Lynx I have to catch the bus three hours early. With SunRail, I’ve never had an issue with SunRail. It’s always prompt on time. It’s pleasant, it’s a pleasant journey,” said Samantha Converse, a SunRail rider.
About 60,000 workers are set to go on strike Friday if a deal with union isn’t reached.
The Biden Administration said a strike could bring the transportation of nearly 30% of the nation’s goods to a halt.
“A shutdown is not acceptable. That is not something that we want. It risks harming families, it risks farming, harming businesses and whole communities. And we have made that clear empathetically and repeatedly to both parties,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.