Biden moves to block rail strike

OMAHA, Neb. — President Joe Biden on Friday blocked a freight railroad strike that would disrupt shipments of all kinds of goods for at least 60 days by naming a board of arbitrators to intervene in the contract dispute.

The widely expected move will keep 115,000 rail workers on the job while the arbitrators develop a set of contract recommendations for both sides to consider. Biden had to act before Monday to prevent a possible strike. A new round of negotiations is likely after those recommendations are issued.

If the railroads and their 12 unions can’t agree on a contract within 60 days, Congress would likely step in to prevent a strike by imposing terms or taking other action.