Manitoba farmers, producer groups concerned about effect of potential rail strike
Workers at Canada’s two major rail lines have approved a strike mandate and could hit the picket line later this month. More than 9000 workers at CNN CPKC overwhelmingly voting in favor of the mandate. Teamsters Canada, the union representing workers, says little progress has been made after the contracts for locomotive engineers, conductors and yard workers at both rail lines expired at the end of 2023. And they say workers could hit the picket lines as early as May 22nd. The union says the two sides have hit an impasse when it comes to work rest balance for employees. While the two sides continue to remain far apart, Andre Harp of the organization Grain Growers of Canada says a potential strike is very worrying to producers. We rely on the rail to bring a lot of the fertilizers that we use across the country to bring bring close closer to the farm, so this could have a devastating effect on our bottom line. Both CNN and CPKC say negotiations are ongoing with the union with the assistance of federal conciliators, and both rail lines worry about a labor disruption that could impact the Canada supply chain and North America economy. CPKC denies compromising workers safety with their offers, as the union has suggested. Well, CN says the union has made very few concessions.