The heads of the nation’s two largest rail unions say a move by freight railroads to begin delaying some shipments ahead of Friday’s looming strike deadline is an attempt to get shippers to increase the pressure on Congress to intervene and block a work stoppage by imposing a contract on workers.
The heads of the unions that represent engineers and conductors issued a joint statement blasting the move, which the railroads announced late Friday.
Railroads appear to be bracing for a strike by saying they would begin curtailing shipments of hazardous materials today to ensure carloads of those dangerous products won’t be stranded along the tracks if the trains stop moving.
Visa, Mastercard and American Express will add a new merchant category for firearms retailers, a victory for gun-control advocates who have pressed the financial industry to do more to help curb mass shootings.
Gun-control activists say the code will help track suspicious weapons purchases.
Futures are up after stocks closed sharply higher on Friday. The Dow Industrials jumped 377, the Nasdaq gained 250 and the S&P 500 added 61.
