A potential rail strike on both of Canada’s major railways may be postponed as the federal labor minister seeks a review of the potential impact of a work stoppage on the health and safety of Canadians.
On Thursday, Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan Jr. asked the Industrial Relations Board of Canada to investigate the Teamsters Canadian Railway Council and the maintenance of an operating agreement between the two railways, CN Railway and CPKC.
“Serious concerns have been raised about the potential impact on the health and safety of Canadians. It is our duty to investigate this,” O’Regan Jr. said on X (formerly Twitter).
After voting in favor of a mandatory strike last month, more than 9,000 CN and CPKC employees were in position to go on strike as early as May 22.
However, under the Canada Labor Act, the Minister may request the CIRB to intervene to determine which activities must continue during a strike or lockout until the Board makes a decision. Parties are prohibited from initiating strikes or lockouts.
It is unclear how long it will take the CIRB to make a decision.
The dispute revolves around three collective bargaining agreements that expired on December 31, 2023, and affects the following railroad workers:
– Approximately 6,000 CN conductors, engineers, and yard workers
– Approximately 3,200 CPKC conductors, engineers, and yard workers;
– CPKC has approximately 80-90 railway traffic controllers.
The CPKC said it plans to meet again with the TCRC leadership next week, with the federal mediator also present.
In 2012, 2015, 2018, and 2022, there were at least four consecutive labor negotiations between CPKC (formerly CP Railroad) and the Teamsters union that resulted in work stoppages. TCRC members, also from the CN, went on an eight-day strike in 2019.
Related:
Teamsters vote to authorize rail strike at CN and CPKC
The possibility of a double rail strike looms as contract negotiations remain stalled
