This week, Congress passed a bill that effectively imposed an agreement between rail workers and their companies and prohibited a strike. Politicians feared that any work stoppage would cripple the U.S. economy for the holidays, costing the country billions of dollars.Today, we talk about the unique, violent history of rail workers trying to fight for better union contracts. Read the full transcript here.Host: Gustavo ArellanoGuests: University of Rhode Island history professor Erik LoomisMore reading:Senate moves to avert rail strike amid dire warningsBiden calls on Congress to head off potential rail strikeBig rail unions split on contract deal with railroads, raising possibility of a strike