Looming railroad strike could have major impact on Milwaukee, Southeast Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE — We might quickly be on monitor for a nationwide railroad strike.

Amtrak has canceled long-distance routes starting Thursday. Engineers and conductors who’re strolling off the job Friday might additionally cripple the nation’s already struggling provide chain.

Right here in Southeast Wisconsin, Mildred Thompson says she has been using the Amtrak practice religiously from Milwaukee to Missouri and again to care for her aunt. Now, she might have to search out one other means.

“I have been using it for the previous 5 months,” Thompson stated. “I actually depend on it. I do not know what I must do.”

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If negotiations aren’t met, this may be the primary railroad strike in 30 years. It comes after U.S. railroad employees raised quite a lot of issues, together with pay, strict attendance insurance policies, and dealing situations.

“I sort of assist strikers,” Amtrak rider Elise Beck stated. “It will get the job performed and the entire level is to sort of disrupt individuals’s lives as a result of that’s finally what’s going to ship a message.”

In keeping with one report, shutting down the railroad system would value the U.S. financial system $2 billion a day. That influence would even be felt in Milwaukee and throughout Southeast Wisconsin.

“The Union Pacific railroad is among the primary nationwide freight traces,” Milwaukee Enterprise Journal Senior Reporter Wealthy Kirchen stated. “It runs via Milwaukee and they might be impacted by the strike… The larger influence definitely can be on companies in our space that depend on freight delivery, all the things from coal to grease, to chemical compounds, livestock feed.”

Authorities officers say the strike would even have an incredible influence on items and groceries. It has individuals nervous.

“​It will drive grocery costs increased, much less stuff might be on the grocery cabinets,” Amtrak rider David Livingston stated. “It will influence all people. We cannot have a lot meals, we cannot have all of the stuff that we want.”

Till a ultimate determination is made, it’s a wait-and-see recreation.

“Hopefully they’re going to be capable of work one thing out,” stated Kirchen.

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