Toronto, June 20, 2024
The following message was issued by the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA) on Thursday, June 20th, 2024:
Union Voting on Whether to Extend Strike Threat by CN, CPKC Rail Workers
The union representing more than 9,000 CN and CPKC workers has organized a second strike vote amid stalled contract negotiations with the railroads.
“It is clear we cannot rely on a timely conclusion to these unfortunate circumstances and must protect our rights regardless of outcome,” the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) said in a news release. On May 1, CN and CPKC rail workers voted to authorize a strike that could have begun on May 22.
Canadian Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan referred the rail worker dispute to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) on May 13, indefinitely pausing any possible work stoppage until the CIRB issues a decision on the potential impacts a strike could have on the country’s safety.
TCRC’s second strike vote began Friday and will end on June 29, as the current strike mandate is set to expire on June 30. Canadian labour laws prohibit unions from declaring a strike unless its members have approved walking off the job in the previous 60 days.
Read more in an article from American Shipper.
For more information, please call David Lychek, Director – Ocean & Air Services at (905) 882-4880, ext. 1207.
