Amtrak CEO forced to resign by Trump administration amid talks of privatization
The CEO of Amtrak resigned this week. Stephen Gardner submitted his resignation after the Trump administration asked him to leave.
Gardner said his resignation is effective immediately so that Amtrak will have the confidence of the current administration.
Elon Musk, who is overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency, has suggested privatizing the nation’s passenger railroad.
Full Story
The CEO of America’s passenger railroad, Amtrak, has resigned as of Wednesday, March 20, under pressure from the Trump administration. Reuters reported that Stephen Gardner’s departure is effective immediately.
Challenges remain for Amtrak with delayed deliveries of the new high-speed Avelia Liberty trains, which are expected to begin passenger service this spring.
Why did Gardner depart abruptly?
A White House official said Gardner was asked to leave and the Amtrak CEO did so. He said he wants to ensure that Amtrak continues to have the faith and confidence of the current administration.
Gardner had been the CEO for four years, and had been with Amtrak since 2009 while rising up the ranks.
How has ridership fared under Gardner’s leadership?
Amtrak reported in December that ridership in 2024 topped 2019 pre-COVID levels, reaching a record high. That came on the heels of a 15% increase in 2023, with nearly 33 million customer trips.
In the week of March 9, Congress approved $2.4 billion in funding for the rail carrier through the end of September. It had previously approved $22 billion for Amtrak over five years, as part of the massive infrastructure bill in 2021.
The passenger carrier also received $16.4 billion in grant funding in 2023 for 25 rail projects in the Northeast Corridor from Boston to Washington, which is the busiest in the country with 800,000 daily trips.
What are some of the challenges that Amtrak faces?
However, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says that Amtrak needs to address safety concerns at Washington’s Union Station, including crime and homelessness. He wants travelers to feel safe in the capital.
What about Amtrak’s future?
The head of the Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk, recently suggested that Amtrak should be privatized. It has been a federally run operation since 1971.
So far there has been no word on who will replace Gardner.
Trump creates US sovereign wealth fund, could buy into TikTok
President Donald Trump signed an executive order outlining plans to establish a government-run sovereign wealth fund. The fund would serve as an economic development account and might be used to partner with TikTok.
The popular social media app operates under a 75-day period during which its owner, ByteDance, is supposed to break away from its Chinese influence.
In addition to TikTok, the fund would be used to pay for infrastructure projects in the U.S., including at airports and highways.
Norfolk Southern and East Palestine reach $22 million settlement
The town of East Palestine, Ohio, and Norfolk Southern have agreed to a $22 million settlement. The deal resolves all of the village’s claims stemming from the train derailment disaster nearly two years ago.
Where does the money go?
The money will go toward projects that East Palestine officials identify as connected to the train crash, but the settlement also acknowledges around $13.5 million has already been paid by Norfolk Southern to the village, according to a joint announcement posted on Monday, Jan. 27, on the village’s website.
Past promises from Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern has already promised $25 million for other improvements to East Palestine City Park.
The rail company and town had agreed on a proposed regional safety center in the village but determined that it would not be workable. Instead, Norfolk Southern agreed to transfer the 15 acres that would’ve been used for the center to the town and continue to provide training for local first responders.
Some compensation is still pending in courts
Additionally, Norfolk Southern agreed to a $600 million settlement with East Palestine residents in April of 2024 that was related to the rail disaster.
However, $300 million of that compensation is held up in the courts, as some residents challenging the settlement have asked a court of appeals to throw out a judge’s order forcing them to pay an $850,000 bond to continue their appeal for additional compensation.
What happened during the derailment incident?
The train that derailed near the Pennsylvania border in February of 2023 carried nearly a dozen railcars containing hazardous material, which forced East Palestinians to evacuate their homes.
Just days later, officials decided to blow up five boxcars holding vinyl chloride, which released plumes of toxic smoke into the air, over fears of an uncontrolled explosion.
A later investigation revealed the decision was misguided, and detonating the boxcars was unnecessary.
In addition to the toxic smoke, chemicals were leaked into the ground and made their way into nearby creeks and streams. Studies are still being conducted on the long-term health and environmental impacts linked to the train crash.
Switzerland to install solar panels on train tracks, safety concerns remain
Swiss startup Sun-Ways is leading an initiative to install solar panels along the country’s approximately 3,300 miles of railway. The company says that utilizing the rail network could supply nearly a third of the energy required by Switzerland’s transportation sector.
This could potentially offset around 200,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually — roughly equivalent to taking 50,000 gasoline-powered cars off the road.
However, the International Union of Railways has highlighted several potential safety issues with this plan. Reflections from the solar panels may impair train operators’ visibility and there is also the risk that the added infrastructure could increase fire hazards along the tracks.
Critics have pointed to additional logistical challenges, such as the potential for solar panels to complicate track maintenance, suffer damage in the exposed locations, or face efficiency losses. The harder surfaces are also likely to make trains louder as they pass over the panels, causing an uptick in noise pollution.
These concerns contributed to an initial rejection of Sun-Ways’ project in 2023 by Switzerland’s Federal Office of Transport. The company revised its proposal to include additional safety documentation and resubmitted the plan, which then underwent another 10 months of review before authorities approved a pilot project to begin in 2025.
Vance, Walz defend their running mates’ records in vice presidential debate
We have a recap of the first, and likely only, vice presidential debate of 2024. And Iran has launched its largest attack ever on Israel. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.
Vance, Walz defend their running mates’ records in vice presidential debate
For the first time, the two vice presidential candidates took the stage next to one another Tuesday night, Oct. 1. Republican Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz introduced themselves to American voters while defending their running mates’ opposing views.
Vance and Walz kept the vice presidential debate cordial, at various times saying they agreed with the other, but they sparred on the policies and the statements made by their parties’ presidential nominees, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Look if you’re going to be president, you don’t have all the answers. Donald Trump believes he does. My pro tip of the day is this, if you need heart surgery, listen to the people at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, not Donald Trump,” Walz said.
“I honestly, Tim, I think you got a tough job here because you’ve got to play whack-a-mole; you’ve got to pretend that Donald Trump didn’t deliver rising take-home pay, which of course he did; you’ve got to pretend that Donald Trump didn’t deliver lower inflation, which of course he did; and then you simultaneously got to defend Kamala Harris’ atrocious economic record,” Vance said.
The debate covered many topics including abortion, climate change, the economy and health care. The two opened the 90-minute CBS News debate discussing the conflict in the Middle East and the need for stability in the White House.
“I’m 40 years old, when was the last time that an American president didn’t have a major conflict break out? The only answer is during the four years that Donald Trump was president,” Vance said.
“So Iran is closer to a nuclear weapon than they were before because of Donald Trump’s fickle leadership. And when Iran shot down an American aircraft in international airspace, Donald Trump tweeted because that’s the standard diplomacy of Donald Trump,” Walz said.
On illegal immigration, Vance and Walz disagreed on whether former President Trump’s involvement helps or hurts solving the border crisis.
“But as soon as I was getting ready to pass [legislation] and actually tackle this, Donald Trump said no, told them to vote against it because it gives him a campaign issue,” Walz said.
“We have a historic immigration crisis because Kamala Harris started and said that she wanted to undo all of Donald Trump’s border policies — 94 executive orders, suspending deportations, decriminalizing illegal aliens, massively increasing the asylum fraud that exists in our system. That has opened the floodgates,” Vance said.
When the debate turned to gun violence, the two VP contenders shared a moment, highlighting the human aspect and often the aftermath.
“I think all the parents watching tonight, this is just your biggest nightmare. Look, I got a 17-year-old and he witnessed a shooting at a community center playing volleyball, those things don’t leave you,” Walz said.
When it was his turn to speak, Vance responded, “Tim, first of all, I didn’t know that your 17-year-old witnessed a shooting and I’m sorry about that and I hope he’s doing OK. Christ have mercy, it is it is awful.”
Things, however, turned contentious over the 2020 election and Jan. 6.
“[January 6, 2021] was a threat to our democracy in a way that we had not seen, and it manifested itself because of Donald Trump’s inability to say — he is still saying, he didn’t lose the election,” Walz said.
Vance replied, “Tim, I’m focused on the future. Did Kamala Harris censor Americans from speaking their mind in the wake of the 2020 COVID situation?”
“That is a damning non-answer,” Walz said.
Both candidates thanked each other for the debate and the viewers at home, who will make their decision at the polls on Election Day, Nov. 5, in just 34 days.
Trump backs out of ’60 Minutes’ election special; Harris interview to still air
CBS News says former President Trump has backed out an upcoming interview with “60 Minutes.”
For decades, “60 Minutes” has broadcast election specials with the candidates. CBS reported both Trump and Vice President Harris had agreed to take part in this year’s special in separate one-on-one interviews, but Trump has since reportedly changed his mind.
In a press conference last night, Trump said his decision was based on his last interview with CBS anchor Lesley Stahl in 2020 — which he walked out of early.
“They came to me and would like me to do an interview, but first, I want to get an apology because the last time I did an interview with them, if you remember, they challenged me on the computer,” Trump said. “They said the laptop from hell was from Russia. And I said, ‘It wasn’t from Russia, it was from Hunter [Biden].’ And I never got an apology, so I’m sort of waiting. I’d love to do ’60 Minutes’, I do everything.”
In a statement of its own, “60 Minutes” said the special will still move forward.
“Our election special will broadcast the Harris interview on Monday as planned,” the statement read. “Our original invitation to former President Donald Trump to be interviewed on ’60 Minutes’ stands.”
The special is set to air Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. ET.
Iran launches largest-ever attack on Israel; Israel vows retaliation
Israel has vowed to retaliate after Iran launched its largest ever attack on Israel. Late Tuesday, Iran fired more than 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, most of which seem to have been intercepted by the Israeli military with help from the United States and other allies.
So far, one person has been reported to have died in the attack, and the extent of the damage is not yet known.
Iran’s military chief also warned of broader strikes if Israel responds. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already vowed to do so, saying, “Iran made a big mistake and it will pay for it.”
Also Tuesday, just before Iran’s barrage began, at least six people were killed and a dozen more hurt when Israeli police say two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a train station in Tel Aviv. Police say the shooting was an act of terrorism and one of the gunmen was killed at the scene while the other was severely injured.
No specific group has claimed responsibility for that deadly attack.
Search and rescue efforts continue in North Carolina after Helene
Combs is already being held without bond at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
He has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers have said he is innocent of all charges.
Louisiana governor supports bringing back live tiger mascot to LSU games
College sports are known for fierce competition. Now the governor of Louisiana is looking at making things even more ferocious by bringing back an old Louisiana State University football mainstay.
Officials from PETA are now speaking out against the idea, saying it would be cruel and dangerous for the animal.
These days, the current tiger mascot is on campus in an enclosure near the stadium, but the governor says returning the tiger to the field would be “an unbelievable opportunity.” LSU officials have not yet commented on whether there is a possibility of seeing a live tiger at football games once again.
Dockworkers begin strike at East and Gulf coast ports
Tens of thousands of dockworkers are now on strike across the country — what that could mean for you. And the first and only vice presidential debate is just hours away. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.
Dockworkers begin strike at east and gulf coast ports
Thousands of dockworkers along the East and Gulf coasts have walked off the job, impacting the movement of billions of dollars’ worth of goods. They took to the picket lines just after midnight Tuesday, Oct. 1, once the contract between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance officially lapsed.
The ILA has been calling for higher wages for workers and a total ban on automation in a new contract at some of the busiest ports in the country.
The two sides have not met face-to-face since June. Monday, Sept. 30, the Maritime Alliance asked for an extension, but the ILA did not grant one.
The strike has the potential to cause shortages and price increases of consumer goods right as the holiday shopping season approaches. Trucking companies and freight rail operators were scrambling to move billions in products in advance of the strike.
President Joe Biden could invoke a federal labor law to force the longshoremen back to work, but he has said he has no intention of doing that. Straight Arrow News’ Business Correspondent Simone Del Rosario spoke with Syracuse University Professor of Supply Chain Practice Patrick Penfield about when he thinks the White House should step in.
“I give it at least five days, I think,” Penfield said. “After that, I think the government really needs to step in.”
He added, “I think that’s really all we can afford, to be honest with you. And I think, again, if you’re the Biden administration, this is probably a worry because it’s an election year, right? So, again, if the constituents see that there’s issues and problems here and you don’t resolve them, then that could be bad for, you know, whoever’s running for office.”
JD Vance, Tim Walz to take the stage for vice presidential debate tonight
Tuesday is debate night in America once again, this time, between the two vice presidential nominees. Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will participate in the first and only vice presidential debate with just 35 days to go until Election Day.
The 90-minute debate will be hosted by CBS News and simulcast on other networks. It will take place from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City and moderated by “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell and “Face the Nation” moderator Margaret Brennan.
There will be two commercial breaks during which campaign staff cannot interact with their candidates. Pre-written notes are not allowed and, unlike the presidential debates, a candidate’s microphone will not be muted when the other is talking.
On Thursday, Sept. 26, Vance won the virtual coin toss and opted to go last with his closing statement.
The Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris visited FEMA headquarters, where she told them she and President Biden would do everything they could to help the communities impacted.
“The destruction we have seen in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia is heartbreaking,” Harris said. “In coordination with state and local officials, President Biden and I will continue to make sure that communities have the support and the resources that they need not only to respond to this storm and its immediate aftermath but also the resources they will need to recover.”
President Biden said he will visit hard-hit North Carolina on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Harris said she will be on the ground “as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, Republican nominee former President Donald Trump visited Valdosta, Georgia, which suffered severe damage from Helene. While there, Trump said this was not a time for politics.
“As you know, our country is in the final weeks of a hard-fought national election, but in a time like this, when a crisis hits, when our fellow citizens cry out in need, none of that matters,” he said. “We’re not talking about politics now. We have to all get together and get this solved. We need a lot of help. They have to have a lot of help down here. We look out for one another. We pull together, we pitch in, we persevere and we pull it through. That is really the American spirit. That’s what made America originally great.”
Though Trump said he’d leave politics out of it, some of his words caused controversy in Washington. Trump claimed President Biden had not spoken with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R).
Biden responded saying Trump is lying and Kemp himself said he spoke with the president on Sunday, Sept. 29.
Israel launches ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon
The newest phase of war in the Middle East appears to have officially arrived as Israel has begun ground attacks in Lebanon. It’s the escalation in fighting there that the United States and its allies have been trying to keep from happening for weeks now.
Israel now says there’s intense fighting between its troops and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, which started launching strikes against Israel not long after the war with Hamas broke out in October of last year. Hezbollah has said the strikes are a show of solidarity with Hamas.
On Tuesday, Hezbollah said it had launched rocket and artillery attacks against Israeli troops at positions within Israel, but didn’t mention Israeli forces within Lebanon.
CVS board assessing options, including potential company break-up
CVS could be splitting up. According to a new report from Reuters, the company is exploring options to potentially separate its retail and insurance units, as it struggles to rebound into the health care giant that company leaders have been envisioning.
Investors want the company to improve its operations as CVS’ earnings outlook continues to decrease.
Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters the company’s board has been discussing options with its financial advisers in recent weeks — including what a possible split could look like. The sources said the board has not made any decisions yet and could still choose not to make any major changes to the business.
Fmr. NBA star Dikembe Mutombo, MLB hit king Pete Rose pass away
The sports world is remembering two gifted athletes who died on Monday.
Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo passed away at the age of 58 after a battle with brain cancer. Mutombo played 18 seasons in the NBA, was an eight-time All-Star and went on to serve as the league’s first global ambassador.
He became famous for his finger wag after blocking another player’s shot.
In a statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called Mutombo “simply larger than life.”
In his 24-year career, Rose won three World Series championships and was a 17-time All-Star.
However, his career took a turn in 1989 when he was banned from baseball for gambling on games as manager of the Cincinnati Reds. After denying it for many years, Rose would eventually admit he did bet on games in his 2004 autobiography.
Despite not being in the Hall of Fame, Rose still remains on top of the MLB’s career hit list with 4,256 hits. Fans and supporters will remember him as “Charlie Hustle.”
If port workers go on strike, here’s when one expert says Biden should step in
Price increases could be on the horizon if dockworkers and port operators fail to reach terms on a labor contract before Tuesday, Oct. 1. The stoppage at 36 ports along the eastern seaboard and in the Gulf of Mexico would be the first for maritime workers in nearly 50 years.
Members of the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United Maritime Alliance, which negotiates on behalf of port operators, have been locked in negotiations for months.
The 85,000 longshore workers have been calling for higher wages and a ban on automating cranes, grates, and moving containers as part of the loading and unloading process.
Contract offers haven’t been made public by either side, but a trade publication reports the union is seeking a $5-per-hour raise for each year of the 6-year contract, while the alliance has offered an annual raise of $2.50.
The union president said the offer was “insulting.”
“I think that the dilemma that we have is that the longshoremen, they’ve always been a strong union, and so they realize that if you automate, you’re going to take away their jobs,” said Patrick Penfield, a professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University. “This is the conundrum that we’re in. Ideally, we should be automating to streamline operations, to be able to move things in and out. But unfortunately, automation does come at a price from a job standpoint, and there will be [fewer] jobs on the ports if you automate. This is kind of the sticking point.”
Penfield said it will take some time for customers to feel the sticker shock of a stoppage, but the longer the strike goes on, the more likely it will be to see higher prices.
“You’re going to see an increase in pricing rates, trucking rates,” he said. “So you’ll see congestion again, rates will go up. You’re going to see issues with food because there’s a lot of food that goes through the East Coast ports, so in order to get that food, you’re going to have to air it in. And if you air anything these days, it’s going to cost a lot more money.”
President Joe Biden has the power to force workers back on the job if they choose to strike. Congress did stop a rail workers strike in 2022 at the urging of the White House. But about a month before the election, Biden said he’s not planning to intervene at this time. Instead, the administration has called on both sides to come up with a negotiated solution.
The National Retail Federation called on the Biden administration to keep engaging with both sides.
“Many retailers have already taken steps to mitigate the potential impact of a strike by bringing in products earlier or shifting products to the West Coast,” NRF Vice President of Supply Chain and Customs Jonathan Gold said in an email to Straight Arrow News. “The global supply chain is a complex system and even a minor disruption would have a negative impact and cause delays at a critical time for both retailers and consumers.”
Penfield said Biden staying out of it is a “smart move” for now. But the longer a strike drags on, the more likely Biden will have to get involved.
“Eventually, if it goes on too long, I think they have to step in, just because this would cause some major issues and problems within the whole country,” he said. “So I give it at least five days. I think after five days, then I think the government really needs to step in.”
A strike would have a huge impact on the economy.
J.P. Morgan transportation analysts estimate a strike could cost as much as $5 billion per day. The longer it goes on, the more the costs pile up. For each day ports are shuttered, it takes around five days to clear the extra containers.
Canadian government orders arbitration to end rail labor dispute
The Canadian government has intervened in a labor dispute involving thousands of freight train workers. The deadlock on workers’ contract negotiations could have led to a major economic disruption, impacting goods coming into the United States.
“Canada’s economy cannot wait for an agreement that has been delayed for a very long time and when there is a fundamental disagreement between the parties,” Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said.
The trains are expected to resume running in a few days.
VP Kamala Harris formally accepts Democratic presidential nomination at DNC
Vice President Kamala Harris closed out the Democratic National Convention (DNC) by accepting her party’s nomination for president. And one of the largest diamonds ever found was just unearthed in Botswana. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, Aug. 23, 2024.
VP Kamala Harris formally accepts Democratic presidential nomination at DNC
Vice President Kamala Harris has officially accepted her party’s nomination for president. The Democratic National Convention came to a close Thursday night, Aug. 22, after Harris addressed the crowd, laying out more of her policy vision for the nation and going after her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump.
“I want you to know I promise to be a president for all Americans,” Harris said. “You can always trust me to put country above party and self. In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man. But the consequences, but the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious.”
During her speech, Harris vowed to create what she called an “opportunity economy.” She also reiterated her stance that Israel has a right to defend itself but pressed for a cease-fire deal and pledged to reform the U.S. immigration system.
When Harris turned her attention to the former president, she blamed Trump for Republicans voting against a bipartisan border bill, said he sent a mob to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and highlighted his now-criminal record.
“The biggest reaction is why didn’t she do the things she’s complaining about,” he questioned. “She could’ve done it three and a half years ago. She could do it tonight, by leaving the auditorium and going to Washington D.C. and closing the border. She doesn’t need a bill. I didn’t have a bill; I closed the border. She could still do them. She’s got four and a half to five months left.”
All eyes will be on Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the third-party candidate, on Friday, Aug. 23, as he’s set to hold a press conference. The speculation is Kennedy will be dropping out of the presidential race and potentially endorsing Trump.
They had planned to march toward the convention center but were blocked by rows of police in riot gear.
#WATCH : More videos of Massive pro-Palestine protest engulfs DNC convention
Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched in Chicago during the Democratic National Convention, outraged over Dems' backing for Israel in the Gaza war.
The group of about 40 unconfirmed delegates and supporters spent Wednesday night, Aug. 21, outside the United Center on the sidewalk and remained there until after 8 p.m. Thursday before finally going back inside to the convention.
Supreme Court allows Arizona to enforce proof-of-citizenship law
The United States Supreme Court agreed to temporarily reinstate a portion of a 2022 Arizona law requiring proof of citizenship when people register to vote. In a 5-4 ruling, the high court gave a partial victory to Republicans who have been trying to enforce proof of citizenship as a requirement to cast a vote in November.
While the justices ruled the state can enforce the requirement of proof of citizenship to vote using the state’s registration form, the court turned down other requests that would bar voters who registered using a federal form or by mail unless they showed proof of citizenship.
This is only a temporary ruling while litigation continues. So, it’s unclear as of now if, come November, voters in the state will have to show documentation they’re a legal resident to cast a ballot.
Canadian government orders arbitration to end rail labor dispute
The Canadian government has intervened in a labor dispute involving thousands of freight train workers. The deadlock on workers’ contract negotiations could have led to a major economic disruption, impacting goods coming into the United States.
The trains are expected to resume running in a few days.
FDA approves updated COVID vaccines
The FDA has approved updated COVID vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. This puts the new shots on track to reach most Americans within days.
Today, we approved and granted emergency use authorization for updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (2024-2025 formula) to include a monovalent (single) component that corresponds to the Omicron variant KP.2 strain of SARS-CoV-2. https://t.co/pul33IEnIw
These shots target a strain called KP.2, which was the dominant COVID strain in May when a summer surge of the virus began, but now only accounts for roughly 3% of all U.S. cases, according to the CDC. Still, Pfizer and Moderna said their KP.2 vaccines can produce stronger immune responses against other circulating sub-variants than last year’s shots.
Second largest diamond ever found is discovered in Botswana
The second largest diamond ever found was just unearthed in Botswana, according to the Canadian mining company that discovered the gem in one of its mines in Africa. The massive, 2,492-carat diamond is the biggest to be found in more than a century and it was located using X-ray technology.
The mining company presented Botswana’s president with the huge stone on Thursday, Aug. 22. The diamond will be evaluated over the next several weeks and will likely sell for tens of millions of dollars.
The colossal stone is believed to be the biggest one found since a 3,106-carat diamond was discovered in South Africa in 1905 and cut into smaller stones — some of which make up the British royal family’s crown jewels.
Canadian railroad labor dispute lockouts could have major US economic impact
Both of Canada’s major freight railroads stopped operations due to a contract dispute with their workers. Economists are warning that this shutdown could have significant economic consequences for both Canada and the U.S. if the trains do not resume running soon.
Canadian National and CPKC railroads locked out their employees after contract negotiations failed to reach an agreement by midnight on Thursday, Aug. 22.
The unionized workers include about 10,000 engineers, conductors and dispatchers.
As a result of the dispute, all rail traffic in Canada and shipments crossing the U.S. border have stopped.
The disruption affects more than just goods. Over 30,000 commuters in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal will need to find alternative transportation due to the lockout.
While train operations stopped in Canada, the railroads continue to run in the U.S. and Mexico. However, goods loaded in Canada destined for the U.S. are at a standstill.
If the lockout continues for an extended period, both Canada and the U.S. may experience significant repercussions. Rail lines transport billions of dollars of goods between the two countries every month.
Despite calls from business groups for government intervention, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not yet imposed arbitration.
Canadian National said it is still awaiting a response from the workers’ union to its final offer made just before the lockout. CPKC reported that the union rejected its last offer.
Both railroads have stated they will end the lockout if the union agrees to binding arbitration. Negotiations have been ongoing for nine months with Canadian National and for a year with CPKC.
The U.S. narrowly avoided a rail strike two years ago when the government intervened to force workers to accept a contract. Now, a new potential disruption looms, involving port workers along the East Coast.
85,000 unionized port workers could strike in less than 60 days if their contract demands are not met.