Labor negotiations resumed this week between the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) and Canadian National Railway Co. (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) to avert a major railroad strike in Canada that could happen as early as next week. Negotiations between the union and railroads have been stalled for several months.
“The meetings were frank, constructive discussions that reflected the gravity of the situation before Canada’s railways, workforce, and entire economy,” said Labor Minister Steve MacKinnon in an Aug. 5 statement.
Christopher Monette, a spokesperson for TCRC, told Bloomberg that the goal was to increase “the pace and frequency” of discussions. “A work stoppage can be avoided, provided both companies are willing to return with fair and equitable proposals,” he wrote in an email. The union represents close to 10,000 workers at the two companies.
The railroads and TCRC are awaiting a decision by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), which is considering whether a strike would compromise safety and essential services. CIRB in July said it expects to make its ruling by Aug. 9 (GM July 19, p. 1), and no strike or lockout can take place until at least 72 hours after the decision.