Charles Crane/MDN The Minot Amtrak depot saw its route canceled by Amtrak this week, as the nation braces for a potential strike by rail worker unions over working conditions.

The recent cancelation of Amtrak service through Minot is giving the community a sample of what could come if an ongoing dispute between railroad freight companies and their workers leads to a strike. Even more critically, a strike would come at an inopportune time for North Dakotans in the midst of harvest season and the granaries and elevators that purchase their crops.

The main point of contention between the six main Class I carriers, which includes BNSF Railway, and workers unions is point-based attendance policies and the lack of flexibility for workers to utilize sick days. If the parties and negotiators aren’t able to overcome the stalemate, a strike or lockout will come into effect after midnight on Friday.

As efforts are made to forestall such an outcome, disruptions are already manifesting. Amtrak preemptively canceled Tuesday’s departures for three long-range routes serving the Western U.S., including the Empire Builder, which passes through Minot. In a statement announcing the cancelation, Amtrak said it was taking these steps to avoid stranding passengers around the country and that additional “adjustments” to the schedule could be necessary if negotiations don’t arrive at a resolution by Friday.

If grain elevators are unable to transport grain out, the resulting overflow would force producers to seek out storage until the crisis is resolved. However, some farmers may face no choice but to transport their harvest to other markets willing to take their commodities, but with a diminished return.

The Minot Daily News reached out to representatives of local elevators CHS Sun Prairie and Tri-Gen Ag Partners but did not receive a response.

It’s not just grain and commuters being left stranded; the strike would cause severe bottlenecks in the transport and accessibility of energy and chemicals such as chlorine and anhydrous ammonia. Some shipments of these chemicals are being left off shipments in the lead up to Friday, to ensure they aren’t stranded if disruptions occur. Everything from coal to isobutane used in the refining of gasoline also depends on railway freight, and prices could spike if these raw materials aren’t able to go where they’re needed.

“Even the pending threat of a strike has already begun to affect the transport of critical energy supplies and fertilizers across the nation,” said U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND. “Every American will be affected by a strike and they are all expecting a resolution.”

The Railway Labor Act of 1926 gives Congress the power to intervene by blocking or delaying a strike, as happened the last time a strike occurred in 1991, just 24 hours after workers walked off the job. Cramer said he believes Congressional intervention is necessary as a strike could increase already rapid inflation, cause a $2 billion loss of economic output and inflict even more strain on supply chains.

“The first thing Congress should do is to extend the cooling-off period. In the process, Congress can send a message to unions and railroads alike: ‘you’ve got work to do.’ The last thing we need is 535 negotiators inserting themselves,” Cramer said.