UPDATE: Strike reauthorized amid stalled negotiations with CN and CPKC railroads

July 2 update:

Close to 10,000 workers at CN and CPKC have voted to reauthorize strikes at both companies, if negotiated settlements cannot be reached. Overall, workers voted 98.6% to reauthorize a strike, with an 89.5% turnout.

Original post, June 28:

Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, representing 9,000 CN and CPKC workers, is holding a second vote to authorize a work stoppage as the dispute over wages continues. The vote began June 14 and ends June 29.

The union voted in favour of strike in May, but a possible work stoppage was delayed when the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) began its review to determine possible public safety repercussions of a strike.

Should the second vote authorize a strike, a work stoppage could begin 72 hours following the CIRB ruling. The earliest a strike could occur is mid-July, according to the CPKC.

As indicated by the involvement of the CIRB, any work stoppage could be highly disruptive to many industries in Canada, as the railroads are an essential part of shipment logistics. Please contact us at sales@canangroup.ca to explore how we can minimize disruption to your operations through the uncertainty of these negotiations and during a strike.