Canada Rail Strike Locks Out 9,000 Workers After Labor Talks Fail

Canada's top two railroads locked out more than 9,000 unionized workers, triggering an unprecedented rail stoppage that could cause billions of dollars worth of economic damage and disrupt North American supply chains, as reported by Allison Lampert, Abhinav Parmar, and Jahnavi Nidumolu for Reuters.

The companies—Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC)—and the Teamsters union blamed each other for the work stoppage after multiple rounds of talks failed to yield a new agreement. I Photo: Teamsters Canada Facebook

The companies—Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC)—and the Teamsters union blamed each other for the work stoppage after multiple rounds of talks failed to yield a new agreement.

"Throughout this process, CN and CPKC have shown themselves willing to compromise rail safety and tear families apart to earn an extra buck," Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) President Paul Boucher said, adding that the talks were continuing.

Ratings agency Moody's said that the stoppage could cost over C$341 million ($251 million) per day. The stoppage is set to cripple shipments of grain, potash, and coal while also slowing the transport of petroleum products, chemicals, and automobiles.

The two railroads said they had bargained in good faith and had made multiple offers with better pay and working conditions.

"Despite our best efforts, it is clear that a negotiated outcome with the TCRC is not within reach," CPKC said.

The Canadian government has so far asked the railroads and the union to work together and reach an agreement, choosing not to use its power to refer the dispute to binding arbitration.

Francois Laporte, president of Teamsters Canada, told reporters outside CN's Montreal headquarters that he did not expect the government would force workers into arbitration.