The Associated Press is reporting that the largest of 12 rail unions has apparently rejected a contract offer of a 24% pay increase mostly for conductors, that could stop rail hauling in early December and send already high prices higher for such goods as gas and food. Leaders in the retail industry say that rails trike now cold cripple the flow of goods across the country, especially during the holiday season. All 12 unions involved must come to an agreement with the rail industry, or a nationwide strike could happen. A deadline for a deal has already been pushed back once to early next month, and if no deal can be reached, congress may have to intervene to keep trains rolling.