The ongoing rail conflict between members of the Teamster's Canada Rail Conference (TCRC), CPKC, and CN Rail has had another development as the union is planning a strike.
This morning the TCRC issued a 72-hour strike notice which detailed that they would be withdrawing work for 6500 members from CN Rail beginning on Monday.
The union previously issued strike notices for CPKC, which will have workers remain off the job pending an order from the Canada Industrial Relations Board.
“We do not believe that any of the matters we have been discussing over the last several days are insurmountable and we remain available for discussion in order to resolve this matter without a further work stoppage,” said the union in their strike notice.
Paul Boucher, President of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference says by sidestepping the collective bargaining process and ordering binding arbitration, the federal government has undermined the foundation on which labour unions work to improve wages and working conditions for all Canadians.
"Bargaining is also the primary way our union fights for rail safety—all considerations that outweigh short-term economic concerns."
The union notes that a case management conference with the CIRB was held Thursday night, with hearings on Friday to address preliminary issues.
The timeline for a decision from the CIRB regarding the Minister’s referrals is still unclear.
The union is prepared to appeal to the federal court if necessary.