34 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

Trains News Wire

 

Union approves strikes against CN, CPKC in Canada (updated)

 

By Trains Staff | May 1, 2024

 

Railroads indicate sides remain far apart; strike could come as soon as May 22

 

Members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference have authorized strikes against Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City, the union has announced today (May 1).

 

Some 93.3% of train and engine crews at CN returned ballots, with 97.6% voting in favor of a strike. At CPKC, 91.7% of train and engine crews returned ballots, with 99% authorizing a strike, while among members of the CPKC Rail Traffic Controllers unit, 96.6% returned ballots, with 95.3% in favor of a strike.

 

A strike could come as early as May 22, following the end of a mandatory 21-day period of federal mediation that began today.

 

 

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[CNJRoss]

Logistics Manager, 5/9/24

Rail workers in Canada prepare for strike action over safety concerns

 

Rail workers across Canada are gearing up for a potential strike that could disrupt the nation’s supply chains, affecting everything from grains to automotive manufacturing.

 

The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC), representing over 9,000 employees at Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. (CPKC), has authorised strike action as early as May 22 if negotiations with the freight carriers fail to reach a satisfactory agreement.

 

The rail workers, including locomotive engineers, conductors, yard workers and rail traffic controllers, have been operating without a contract since December 31, 2023. The TCRC has voiced concerns over attempts by the freight carriers to roll back safety measures, which they deem critical for workers’ wellbeing.

 

 

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[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading, 5/15/24

 

Canada's labor board to review impact of potential rail strike at CN, CPKC

 

The Canadian government has asked a labor board to review whether a potential strike by thousands of rail workers at CN and Canadian Pacific Kansas City would cause harm to the safety or health of the public.

 

The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference earlier this month announced that close to 10,000 workers at CN and CPKC voted to authorize strikes at both Class Is. Unless the parties can reach an agreement, a work stoppage could occur as early as May 22.

 

 

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[CNJRoss]

The Loadstar, 6/6/24

 

Threat of Canadian rail strike looms again after bid for conciliation fails

 

Last week’s meetings between the Teamsters union (TCRC) and Canadian National Railway (CN) were abandoned less than halfway through, as the parties refuse to see eye-to-eye.  

 

SNIP

 

 The union said it offered both CN and CPKC two weeks of staggered negotiations, as “a sensible solution that would minimise disruptions and allow all parties to address their concerns in a more structured and productive manner”

 

“The move would avoid simultaneous work stoppages at CN and CPKC, significantly reducing the economic impacts from any disruptions to the supply chain from a strike or lockout,” it explained. 

 

But the union’s proposal was rejected by both train operators.  

 

 

More here.

 

[CNJRoss]

CTV News - The Canadian Press, 6/29/24

 

Rail workers at CN and CPKC vote to reauthorize strike at railways, says Teamsters

 

Union members at CN and CPKC railways have voted to reauthorize strikes at both companies if negotiated settlements can't be reached, raising the threat of supply chain disruptions across Canada.

 

Teamsters Canada said in a statement Saturday that union members at both railways voted almost 99 per cent in favour of reauthorized strike action.

 

The union said members previously voted in favour of strike action on May 1, but the 60-day time limit on the vote expired.

 

 

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[CNJRoss]

Trains News Wire

 

Canadian rail strike could begin as soon as Aug. 22 (updated)  

 

By Bill Stephens | August 9, 2024

 

Following ruling by Canada Industrial Relations Board, CN, CPKC say they will lock out members of Teamsters Canada Rail Conference without contract settlement or participation in binding arbitration

 

OTTAWA — The Canada Industrial Relations Board has cleared the way for a potential rail work stoppage that could begin as soon as Aug. 22 if the Canadian railways can’t reach an agreement with the union that represents train crews.

 

Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City subsequently said they would lock out members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference on that date without a settlement or an agreement by the union to participate in binding arbitration.

 

The CIRB ruled today that a work stoppage on Canadian National and CPKC would not cause an immediate threat to public health and safety. The agency had put a potential strike on hold while it evaluated whether certain commodities must keep moving during a strike or lockout.  . . .

 

 

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[CNJRoss]

Trains News Wire

 

Union responds to CPKC, CN lockout plans; Canadian industry fears impact of shutdown

 

By David Lassen | August 9, 2024

 

Industrial organizations say potential Aug. 22 stoppage could be 'catastrophic' for Canadian economy

 

The announcement by Canadian National and CPKC that they plan to lock out members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference on Aug. 22 represents “an unnecessary escalation that goes against the principles of good-faith bargaining that CN and CPKC claim to uphold,” the union said in a statement this afternoon (Friday, Aug. 9)

 

The two railroads said today that they would lock out union members at 12:01 a.m. on that date unless they have reached a contract settlement or the union agrees to participate in binding arbitration. Aug. 22 is the end of a new cooling-off period set by the Canada Industrial Relations Board as part of a ruling today that said no activity would be required to move essential commodities in the event of a strike or lockout [see “Canadian rail strike could begin as soon as Aug. 22,” Trains News Wire, Aug. 9, 2024].

 

 

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[CNJRoss]

8/13/24

[NSAlert] Potential Canadian Work Stoppage

 

Norfolk Southern is closely monitoring a potential labor work stoppage affecting Canadian rail operations which is expected to begin at 00:01 ET on August 22.  Norfolk Southern is subsequently issuing an embargo on TIH, PIH, and RSSM materials to/from the CN and CPKC railroads effective immediately to allow time for these materials to exit the system before the potential work stoppage.  Additional embargoes may be issued as a result of this potential work stoppage.  Norfolk Southern will provide updates as this situation develops.

  

For questions about merchandise shipments, contact Customer Logistics at customerlogistics@nscorp.com. For questions about intermodal shipments, contact Intermodal Customer Logistics at ics@nscorp.com.

 

[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading, 8/15/24

 

STB monitors potential strike's impact on U.S. rail network

 

The Surface Transportation Board is monitoring the potential impacts a rail labor strike in Canada could have on the U.S. rail network and supply chain. A strike could begin as early as Aug. 22.

 

The board is aware that embargoes related to the potential strike have been issued and that the scope of the embargoes could expand in the coming days, STB officials said in a press release. 

 

"Rail carriers, shippers and other stakeholders that experience rail service disruptions related to the potential rail strike are encouraged to contact the board’s Rail Customer and Public Assistance program," they said.

 

 

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[CNJRoss]

[NSAlert] Canadian Work Stoppage Update

 

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8-19-24: Update on Potential Canadian Work Stoppage

 

Norfolk Southern continues to monitor the potential work stoppage affecting rail traffic to/from Canada.

 

CN & CPKC have issued all-commodity embargoes, details below:

• CPKC (Embargo: CPRS002121): effective 12:01am August 20th, 2024
• CN (Embargo: CN001224): effective 12:01am August 22nd, 2024

These two embargoes cover all NS originated traffic destined to Canada and all Canadian originated traffic destined for NS destinations for all commodities. Current NS embargoes NS001524 (Haulage traffic to Rouses Point) and NS001424 (TIH/PIH shipments) remain in effect.

 

For questions about merchandise shipments, contact Customer Logistics at customerlogistics@nscorp.com. For questions about intermodal shipments, contact Intermodal Customer Logistics at ics@nscorp.com.

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1. Click the “Create New Case” button with in AccessNS
2. Enter the details of your question or issue
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While we work to resolve your case, you can monitor your case status directly from the dashboard.  You can also share case information with your colleagues or third-party partners by adding them as an Interested Party. 

 

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