Railroads and workers' unions reached a tentative labor agreement early Thursday to avert a national rail strike that threatened to shut a major segment of the U.S. transportation network. "The tentative agreement reached tonight is an important win for our economy and the American people," President Joe Biden said in a statement announcing the deal. The White House had been in talks with railroad workers' unions and companies for several months, but negotiations were hung up over unpaid sick time. He thanked railroad unions and companies for negotiating "in good faith." Negotiators from railroad carriers and unions had met in Labor Secretary Marty Walsh's office Wednesday as the sides tried to negotiate a deal ahead of Friday's strike deadline.

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