Tentative deal reached overnight to avoid rail strike

(KYMA, KECY/ CNN) - In a race against time, railroad unions and companies reached a tentative deal overnight to avoid a strike that could have halted the U.S. economy.

President Biden's Administration announced early Thursday morning that a tentative deal has been reached after 20 consecutive hours of negotiations at the Department of Labor.

The unions were fighting for more quality-of-life provisions to be put into the contract - covering attendance policies, vacations, and sick days.

The details of the agreement have not yet been released.

The President called it a win for the American people and thousands of rail workers, as well as the companies who will now be able to "retain and recruit more workers."

The deal will now go back to the unions for a vote after which there will be a "cooling off" period of several weeks.