Potential Rail Strike Update
US rail workers from two of the largest labor unions are preparing to strike this Friday, September 16—which may cause significant delays and disruptions to supply chains. Please note the following changes announced by Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, BNSF, and CSX Rail Roads.
Norfolk Southern:
- Norfolk Southern will close all gates to Intermodal traffic effective noon local time on Wednesday, September 14, 2022
- In-gates for loaded or empty Intermodal units for rail movement will close at all NS Intermodal terminals.
- Traffic originating at on-dock port facilities and privately owned Intermodal terminals will not be accepted.
- Customers with eastbound interline shipments should contact the originating rail carrier regarding guidelines for the acceptance of traffic at origin.
- Until further notice, out-gates will remain open at all NS Intermodal terminals during normal business hours for customers to pick up units.
- For Norfolk Southern EMP and TMX Customers:
- NS will discontinue filling reservations on equipment effective at 00:01 local time Wednesday, September 14
- Any empty units out-gated after noon local time Sunday, September 11, and until further notice will be charged according to normal per diem schedules
- Customers can return empty EMP and TMX containers to NS terminals as usual until further notice. This process may be modified as terminal conditions require.
Union Pacific Rail Road:
- On Monday, September 12, Union Pacific will begin to secure hazardous and other security-sensitive materials on our property for the safety of our customers, employees, and communities we serve. In addition, we will embargo new shipments of hazardous commodities until those shipments can safely arrive at their destination. We are taking a proactive measure ahead of any potential work stoppages due to an impasse in labor negotiations.
BNSF Rail Road:
- Due to the possibility of an interruption of service when the cooling-off period expires on September 16, we will begin to take steps to manage and secure the shipments of hazardous and security-sensitive materials as early as Monday, September 12.
CSX Rail Road:
- CSX is taking steps to ensure the safety of highly hazardous, toxic by inhalation and poisonous by inhalation (TIH/PIH) materials in the event of a potential rail labor strike. We remain hopeful that agreements will be reached, but to prepare for the possibility of a work stoppage, the company will take action by issuing an embargo on all TIH/PIH shipments and other safety-sensitive freight effective Monday, September 12.
