U.S. freight railroads have reduced service and Amtrak has canceled trips on three long-distance routes, as more than 110,000 rail workers threaten to go on strike this week to protest deteriorating working conditions. 

New York, September 14 (RHC)-- U.S. freight railroads have reduced service and Amtrak has canceled trips on three long-distance routes, as more than 110,000 rail workers threaten to go on strike this week to protest deteriorating working conditions. 

So far, 10 of 12 unions representing both freight and passenger rail workers have agreed to new contracts, but unions representing some 60,000 engineers and conductors remain at an impasse, and other workers have pledged to join them if they begin a strike, currently scheduled for 12:01 a.m. on Friday. Workers want paid sick leave and say they’re being pushed to work grueling schedules that threaten their safety and that of the public.