Canadian National Railway Announces Lockout of Union Workers Amid Stalled Labor Negotiations

Canadian National Railway (CN), one of the two prominent rail operators in Canada, informed the Teamsters union of impending lockouts due to the unfruitful labor negotiations over the weekend. Despite continuous discussions, CN stated no significant progress was made and the parties remained at an impasse.

Lockouts and Implications

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), the rival operator, is also set to implement lockouts, leading to a potential standstill in the transportation of goods across Canada, unless swift labor agreements are reached. The Teamsters union has independently issued a 72-hour strike notice to CPKC, indicating a work stoppage effective from 00:01 on Thursday, August 22, unless last-minute agreements are made.

Accusations and Government Stance

Both the companies and the union are accusing each other of bad faith during negotiations. The Teamsters union claims that CN Rail and CPKC are pushing for concessions that could jeopardize worker safety, an allegation denied by the operators. Meanwhile, the federal Liberal government has refrained from intervening despite appeals from business groups, urging for a resolution through negotiations instead.