Railroad strike would mean no Sounder trains Friday. Here’s what to know for commuters
Update, Sept. 15: U.S. railroads and their unions reached a tentative deal early Thursday, President Joe Biden announced, for now avoiding a strike that would have meant canceled Sounder trains Friday around Puget Sound. And Amtrak, which canceled some rail service in anticipation of the strike, said it would work quickly to resume normal operations.
Original story: Days ahead of a potential nationwide strike by freight railroad workers, Sound Transit on Wednesday said all service for Sounder commuter rail would be canceled Friday if labor contract negotiations are not settled.
About 5,000 people ride the Sounder each weekday, and none would be able to board their usual train to make their commute Friday morning if the strike occurs.
“We’ve been monitoring the situation,” Sound Transit spokesperson David Jackson said. “We still remain hopeful that maybe the strike can be averted.”
The largest freight railroads in the U.S. are at the bargaining table with their unions to address issues of unpredictable work schedules, strict attendance rules and agreements over recommended wage increases, the Associated Press reports. Those railroads include BNSF, which owns the rail Sounder trains run along and whose employees operate and dispatch the locomotives.
Light rail lines and buses would operate as normal, Jackson said. But staffing shortages would make it difficult for Sound Transit to provide additional buses for Sounder passengers. Commuters would likely need to find alternate ways to get to their destination.
“We’re working to try to increase bus service where we can, but it’s a challenge, given current operator shortages,” Jackson said.
Sound Transit said Wednesday afternoon it was working with its partners to add bus service on existing ST Express routes that overlap with Sounder trains where possible.
Last year, Sound Transit and Pierce Transit both temporarily reduced bus service because there weren’t enough drivers. And looking ahead to 2023, workforce shortages still appear to be an issue for Sound Transit, according to the service plan for next year posted on the agency’s website.
According to the AP, one union on Wednesday voted to reject a tentative deal with the railroads. The union, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 19, said it would delay any strike by its members until Sept. 29 so negotiations would have more time. Three other unions were still at the bargaining table.
Sound Transit said it would be communicating with its customers Wednesday about “potential missed trips.” Spokesperson Jackson said the transit agency would reiterate cancellations with passengers if the strike occurs.
“We hope that it won’t be disrupted, but we’ll do what we can to help our customers get where they need to go,” Jackson said.
This story was originally published September 14, 2022 at 1:56 PM.
