Francois Laporte, National President, Teamsters Canada, speaks to media as picketing rail workers gather at the CPKC headquarters in Calgary, Alta., Aug. 23, 2024.A federal labour board was expected to issue a decision Saturday regarding a labour dispute between two major railway companies and their union that is threatening Canada’s supply chains.when Canadian National Railway Co. locked out employees after months of separate contract talks failed to yield agreements.
Following the minister’s referral to the CIRB, CN declared its lockout over, but the union on Friday issued a strike notice at the Montreal-based rail carrier for Monday at 10 a.m. ET. While the companies and union argued their cases at a hearing before the CIRB, a range of industries warned of severe financial impacts from stalled supply chains amid a potentially protracted work stoppage.
The companies denied the union’s claims, saying their offers ensured safety, offered higher wages and included scheduling changes that would let employees spend more time with their families.