Union announces appeal to Federal Court
OTTAWA, Ontario – The Canada Industrial Relations Board has upheld Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon’s decision to end work stoppages at Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City, requiring the railroads to resume operations and begin binding arbitration between the railroads and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference to determine new contract terms.
In response to this evening’s decision (Saturday, August 24), the union said it would comply but would also appeal the CIRB’s decision in federal court.
“This decision by the CIRB sets a dangerous precedent,” TCRC President Paul Boucher said in a statement. “It sends a message to Canadian business that all large companies have to do is shut down operations for a few hours and cause short-term economic damage, and the federal government will step in to bust a union. Canadian workers’ rights were significantly curtailed today.”
Trains News Wire is awaiting a statement from the two railway companies.
MacKinnon announced his decision to refer the matter to arbitration on Thursday, but the railroad remained in limbo as the CPKC waited for the panel’s decision before moving forward with plans to resume service, and the union maintained its picket line at that railroad in the meantime (see “Canada’s labour minister orders arbitration…”) Trains News Wire, August 22, 2024). CN ended its lockout at 6 p.m. Thursday and the union initially announced a resumption of the strike, but then issued a strike notice that took effect at 10 a.m. Monday, August 26, while it awaited action from the CIRB. It said the move was intended to “pressure CN into negotiating a settlement” (see “Teamsters Canada announces 72-hour strike…”, Trains News Wire, August 23, 2024).
— This is a developing story. Follow Trains News Wire for more information as it becomes available.
