Robb M. Stewart of The Wall Street Journal reports Scott Shannon, vice president for Canada at transport logistics provider C.H. Robinson, noted that in more than 100 years of doing business in the country, this is the first time labor negotiations have been held at both railroads at the same time. A simultaneous strike at both railroads could put instant pressure on trucking. Stewart writes:
Canada’s rail operations face the risk of shutdown later this month after the country’s labor-relations board effectively opened the door to a strike by unionized workers, or a lockout.
The Canada Industrial Relations Board in a ruling Friday determined a work stoppage at Canadian Pacific Kansas City and Canadian National Railway wouldn’t pose an immediate or serious danger to safety or public health. It ordered a 13-day cooling-off period between the rail companies and Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.
In response to the ruling, Canadian Pacific issued a lockout notice for one minute past midnight Aug. 22 if no settlement is reached with the union. Canadian National called on the government to launch binding arbitration and said it would have no choice but to begin a phased and progressive shutdown of its network, starting with embargoes of hazardous goods which would also result in a lockout after midnight Aug. 22 […]
Scott Shannon, vice president for Canada at transport logistics provider C.H. Robinson, noted that in more than 100 years of doing business in the country, this is the first time labor negotiations have been held at both railroads at the same time.
“Before, when one railroad went on strike, freight could be shifted to the other. Both railroads simultaneously being out of commission would paralyze the ports and put instant pressure on trucking,” he said, adding that in anticipation of strikes the company has already been diverting customers’ ocean cargo away from Canadian ports.
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