Trudeau urges rail firms, unions to avert strike through negotiations

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
21 Aug 2024 20:58

The threat of a strike stems from demands by railroad companies to make concessions related to crew scheduling, rail safety, and fatigue management.

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A Canada Pacific (CPKC) train stopped in a railyard near the CPKC offices located in Kansas City, Mo., Monday, Aug. 19, 2024. (AP)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday urged rail companies and workers' unions to resolve their differences at the negotiating table, emphasizing that it is in the "best interest" of both parties to avoid a strike that could have severe consequences for the nation.

"My message is very straightforward. It is in the best interest of both sides [companies and unions] to continue doing the hard work at the table to find a negotiated resolution," Trudeau told reporters, stressing the importance of reaching an agreement.

Millions of Canadians, including workers, farmers, and businesses nationwide, are relying on the involved parties to negotiate a settlement, Trudeau said. He added that the federal government is monitoring the rail negotiations "extremely closely."

🚂 The men and women who keep our CN and CPKC trains running want decent working conditions that ensure safety for us all🚨. It’s time to give them our support.💪#Canlab pic.twitter.com/bGXQC1yuo1
— Teamsters Canada (@TeamstersCanada) August 21, 2024

The potential for a strike looms as Teamsters Canada, the country's largest transportation and supply chain union, has warned that railroad transport could be paralyzed if the Canadian National Railway Company (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) fail to reach an agreement by August 22. According to the Railway Association of Canada, both companies are responsible for moving approximately C$1 billion worth of goods daily.

The threat of a strike stems from demands by railroad companies to make concessions related to crew scheduling, rail safety, and fatigue management. The union has expressed concern that CN and CPKC are attempting to dilute the collective agreement's safety-critical fatigue provisions, which could require train crews to stay awake longer, increasing the risk of derailments and other safety incidents.

Teamsters Canada, representing over 130,000 members, is the largest federally regulated private sector, transportation, and supply chain union in the country. The union advocates for nearly 10,000 workers at CN and CPKC, and has a broader representation of over 1.2 million individuals across North America.