Canada: Rail service disruptions nationwide from Aug. 22 /update 1

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Canadian National Railway (CN), the country's two largest freight rail companies, locked out Teamsters Canada union-represented workers from 00:01 Aug. 22. Both CPKC and CN failed to reach an agreement with the Teamsters Canada Union regarding an ongoing labor dispute by 23:59 Aug. 21, leading to indefinite industrial action across the country. Simultaneously, Teamsters Canada union-affiliated workers are on strike as of 00:01 Aug. 22. Negotiations between the Teamsters Canada union, CN Rail, and CPKC are ongoing despite the lockout and strike.

The industrial action involves approximately 10,000 rail workers and will significantly disrupt passenger and freight rail transport across Canada. The following commuter lines run by CPKC in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver have been affected:

• Montreal: Exo's Candiac, Saint-Jerome and Vaudreuil lines

• Toronto: Metrolinx's Go Train service on the Milton Line and Hamilton Go Station

• Vancouver: Translink's West Coast Express

Cross-border trade between the US and Canada will also be disrupted for the duration of the strike. The work stoppage will predominantly impact the mining, energy, agricultural, and manufacturing sectors.

Passenger rail disruptions will probably continue throughout the work stoppage. Demand for alternative forms of freight and passenger transportation will likely increase. There have been no reports of planned pickets; however, some gatherings could occur, particularly near union or freight rail company offices.