Union votes to extend strike threat by CN and CPKC rail workers

If the CIRB decides that a strike would not pose a serious threat to public safety, the earliest a strike could take place would be mid-July, according to the CPKC.

“It is unlikely that the parties will be able to initiate a legal strike or lockout before mid-July or later. In any event, a legal strike or lockout cannot occur until at least 72 hours after the CIRB’s decision,” CPKC said in a statement.

TCRC said it had sent written submissions to the CIRB and attended two face-to-face meetings with railway officials, but had received “no indication” of how long the negotiation process might take.

“We have no idea how long this process will take or what the outcome might be,” TCRC said. “The result is a frustrating process. Since the referral, both airlines have completely withdrawn any willingness to negotiate, which has been virtually nonexistent since the meetings began last fall.”

CPKC and CN railway workers – including conductors, train drivers, shunting workers and traffic managers – are demanding higher wages as well as concessions in staff scheduling, working hours and fatigue management.

“CPKC wants to remove all safety-related fatigue provisions from the collective agreement,” TCRC said. “CN has offered to keep some of its fatigue language for the union if it agrees to a plan that will force workers to move across the country for several months at a time to fill labor shortages in remote areas of the country.”

CN and CPKC have asked the Canadian authorities to appoint an independent arbitrator to assist in the negotiations.

“CN has been negotiating with the TCRC since November 2023 to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. Unfortunately, we are no closer to reaching an agreement. The uncertainty about the timing of a resolution and the prospect of work disruptions are damaging CN, our employees, our customers and the Canadian economy,” CN said in a statement.