Toronto, July 2, 2024
On Saturday, June 29th, the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference announced that unionized workers from Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Southern overwhelmingly voted in favour of going on strike unless they get a new labour deal. The result of the vote by more than 9,200 Canadian railroad workers does not mean a strike is imminent. It does, however, position members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference to conduct a work stoppage unless members receive a new contract to replace its previous deal that expired on December 31, 2023. This is the second time the union has authorized a strike this year. Members previously approved a strike on May 1st, which positioned the union to begin a work stoppage on May 22nd.
However, intervention by Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s Minister of Labour, closed that strike window, as he requested the Canada Industrial Relations Board to investigate whether a work stoppage would impact Canadians’ health and safety. While it is unclear when the government will issue a decision, it is unlikely that the parties will be in a position to initiate a legal strike or lockout before mid-July or later. Until the Canadian government makes a ruling, the union cannot legally strike. A spokesperson for the union said Canadian law requires another vote because the previous strike authorization was only valid for 60 days and expired June 30th. Now the union is positioned for another 60 days to legally strike. A work stoppage cannot start until 72 hours after the government announces a decision.
Read more in an article from Supply Chain Dive.
For more information, please call David Lychek, Director – Ocean & Air Services at (905) 882-4880, ext. 1207.
