One of the big issues was that in this multi year negotiation process, union leaders were banking on Biden to support them favorably and so did not pursue any o

One of the big issues was that in this multi year negotiation process, union leaders were banking on Biden to support them favorably and so did not pursue any other backup plans or offers. They could have had a Plan B in place to strike or at least secure a shorter term deal with sick days in place, with the rank and file ready to walk out, but the union leadership didn't want to. When Biden admin basically walked away, the union leadership were left with zero other options. Gross negligence from the leadership. So this is not surprising at all. There's a lot of low level organizing and shaking up at each of the rail unions, but they've got a lot of work ahead.