Counting Down: Groups urge rail owners and unions to reach an agreement

We are less than two weeks away from the deadline to avoid a potential rail strike, and several major unions have not signed off on a deal.

Two of the largest unions in the rail system began voting earlier this month and are expected to be finished on the 21st, two days after the deadline.

Shipping and agriculture groups are urging unions and owners to work together to reach an agreement, and have also asked Congress to be prepared to step in. The Ag Transportation Working Group says a strike would be catastrophic with inland water levels reaching historic lows.

Congress returns to Capitol Hill on November 14th, just days before the deadline.