25 Aug 2024 | 09:55 AM UTC
Canada: Officials order end to rail strike-related agitation, Aug. 24 /update 4
Potential rail strike averted as union agrees to abide by Canada Industrial Relations Board decision to end labor action, Aug. 24.
A potential rail strike from Aug. 26 has been averted after Teamsters Canada, which represents rail workers, agreed to abide by a Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) decision on Aug. 24 to end its labor agitation. The union has indicated that it will file a legal challenge against the CIRB decision.
Reconfirm all freight and passenger rail services. Monitor developments closely.
The development follows days of agitation between Teamsters Canada and two of Canada's largest rail companies, Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC). Negotiations between unions and companies failed to conclude with a binding agreement by an Aug. 22 deadline, leading to a lockout of rail workers. The government ordered an end to the lockout shortly after it started. Some disruptions were reported to rail services. Following this, Teamsters Canada issued a strike notice on Aug. 23 to Canadian National Railway (CN) effective 10:00 ET Aug. 26. This will not proceed. A union-led work stoppage at CPKC continued Aug. 23 but will now also cease in light of the Aug. 24 CIRB decision. CPKC has indicated that its operations could take several weeks to stabilize.
