Michael Joel-Hansen
Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Workers at Canada’s two biggest railways will now be in a legal position to strike later this month, the union that represents them said Friday.
In a media release, Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) said workers at both Canadian National Railway Co (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd (CPKC) will be in legal strike position as of Aug. 22.
The union was responding to a recent decision from the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) that clarified which services would have to continue in the event of a work stoppage.
“The decision aligns with what the Teamsters, CN, and CPKC have long maintained: there is no need for essential services in the event of a work stoppage in the rail industry,” the statement from the union said.
With CIRB’s involvement in the dispute workers were not permitted to walk off the job and the companies were not able to lock the workers out.
The TCRC said they are committed to negotiating in good faith to reach agreements at the bargaining table with both companies. The union added they would serve 72-hour strike notice to both companies in the event of job action.
TCRC president Paul Boucher said the main sticking point in negotiations remains around scheduling changes proposed by both companies, which TCRC maintains will be harmful for workers and compromise rail safety.
“Rail workers have fought for a safer and more humane industry for decades, and we will not accept moving backwards,” he said.
