At a bargaining session convened by the National Mediation Board on Thursday, Amtrak asked the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees to pledge to work for two weeks after the current contract expires next Wednesday in order to spare travelers uncertainty.
Amtrak said the union replied that it would “seriously consider” Amtrak’s offer.
But the union told Amtrak it needs to “build a consensus within our union on any course of action related to our dispute” before deciding on a response to the offer, Amtrak said.
Amtrak said the union leadership could exercise its legal right to strike as early as 12:01 a.m. EDT Wednesday. The union has not yet made its intentions clear.
Amtrak said the union has not accepted earlier offers to maintain status quo and delay a possible strike date by two weeks.
Amtrak said passengers whose travel has not yet begun, but is canceled by a strike, could reschedule rail travel or be eligible for a refund.
Amtrak is also seeking arrangements with other carriers to honor some Amtrak tickets.
