<p>The vast majority of U.S. voters want to avoid a rail strike that would rattle the nation’s economy,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aar.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/221127-FTP-AAR-National-Survey-Memo-Release.pdf" _mce_href="https://www.aar.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/221127-FTP-AAR-National-Survey-Memo-Release.pdf">according to a poll</a>&nbsp;commissioned by the Association of American Railroads.&nbsp;</p> <p>The survey, conducted by Forbes Tate Partners, found that 92 percent of voters believe it’s “important” for the U.S. to avert a strike, including 71 percent who say it’s “very important.” Eighty-five percent of those surveyed said that a rail strike would worsen inflation.&nbsp;</p> <p>Roughly 115,000 freight railroad workers could go on strike as soon as Dec. 9 if labor unions cannot reach a contract agreement with railroads that satisfies workers’ demands for paid sick leave and more flexible scheduling.&nbsp;</p> <p>Four of the 12 unions have not ratified a deal, including train and engine workers at SMART-TD’s transportation division who last week narrowly voted down a tentative agreement reached in September with the help of the Biden administration.</p>