This nugget flew under the radar somewhat quietly. The President decided to focus on domestic matters and stepped in to avert a potentially disastrous Amtrak strike that would have left millions of commuters along the Northeast corridor out of luck.

Fortunately we can continue avoiding the Delta Shuttle for another month while they (hopefully) work this thing out.

Bush announced the creation of the five-member board in a White House statement. The panel will have 30 days to hear presentations from Amtrak management and the nine unions, which represent about half of Washington-based Amtrak’s 15,000 organized employees.

The workers, including dispatchers and maintenance workers, would have to wait another 30 days after the board issues recommendations before they could strike.