WASHINGTON (Bloomberg) - President George W. Bush yesterday blocked a potential December 1 strike by workers on Amtrak, the nation's passenger railroad.

Bush created a presidential emergency board, which will consider arguments from Amtrak management and nine of its unions. As a result, Amtrak workers wouldn't be able to stage the first strike in the railroad's 30-year history until late January.

The move "gives breathing room to both sides to come to agreement and at least postpones" a walkout, Amtrak spokesman Cliff Black said in an interview. "We're hopeful that it eliminates that possibility."

Transportation Communications International Union members were prepared to strike in three days, according to a letter dated yesterday to members from union president Robert Scardelletti.

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

The workers would have to wait another 30 days after the board issues recommendations before they could strike.

Congress could also intervene in the contract talks, which began in 2000 when the last comprehensive Amtrak worker contract was approved. The Railway Labor Act prevents contracts of rail workers from expiring.

Joel Parker, international vice-president of the Rockville, Maryland-base Transportation Communications union, did not respond to phone messages.