Nation IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Board Outlines Plan to Avoid Rail Strike

A presidential emergency board trying to head off a national rail strike recommended that railroad workers get annual bonuses but also start contributing for health care. As much as half of the workers’ bonuses might have to go for health care contributions, according to recommendations for settling a two-year-old contract dispute between the nation’s largest freight railroads and 11 unions representing about 200,000 workers. Under the board’s recommendations, rail workers would get a lump sum payment of $2,000 when the contract is signed and a 3% wage increase July 1.