Rail disruptions will affect US steel shipments

If US railroads and unions fail to reach an agreement on a new contract by September 16, potential railroad strikes will negatively impact the supply of finished and semi-finished steel, as well as steel raw materials, according to the Steel Manufacturers Association.

The association said that any disruption to rail freight would cause delays and increase costs, hurting businesses across the industry.

Currently, 10 of the 12 major unions have reached an agreement, with the exception of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and the Transportation Division of SMART. If both parties cannot resolve their differences voluntarily, Congress will intervene to avoid disruption to the railroads.