This is what happens when you follow the RLA. Labor gets its say eventually, you just have to follow the process. We are about halfway to first base right now. The railroads are rounding third.
Congress is controlled by a party in both houses that doesn't want to upset organized labor. Most people watching this develop think they will not interfere, which will allow labor to withhold their services and apply the ultimate leverage in negotiations. If I were a publicly traded railroad with multi million dollar shipping contracts, I would be opening up the checkbook really fast.
The main issue in negotiations right now isn't pay, it's work rules. Most rail workers are basically on call 24/7 with a few days off a month. I have a Navy buddy who works the rails and he said it is terrible for any sort of family life or planning since you literally never know when you are going to be at work. It's the equivalent of us being on SWA style reserve 18 hours a day for 6 days a week.