As the clock ticks down on the strike deadline there's an overwhelming call for the Canadian government to intervene and prevent a national rail strike.
For months now Canadian Pacific Kansas City, Canadian National and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference have been at the bargaining table but to no avail.
On Sunday, the union announced that unless the parties reached a last-minute agreement, workers would be off the job as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern time Thursday.
Following that CN Rail issued a notice that it intends to lock workers out at that same time unless an agreement or binding arbitration is achieved.
The strike involving over 9000 rail workers for CN and CPKC would effectively shut down the rail system, halting grain movement to terminal and export markets and creating a major backlog right through the grain system.
The strike would not only impact Canada's grain system but would also have an impact on the United States with businesses south of the border saying it could have a significant impact on the U.S. economy
The U.S. and Canadian Chamber of Commerce issued a joint statement on Tuesday urging for action to avert a rail stoppage.
"Significant two-way trade and deeply integrated supply chains between Canada and the United States mean that any significant rail disruption will jeopardize the livelihoods of workers across multiple industries on both sides of the border. The Government of Canada must take action to ensure goods continue to move reliably between our two countries."
There's also overwhelming concern about the overall impact on Canada's reputation as a reliable supplier for our customers, who now will have to look elsewhere to fill their grain supply needs.
This week the Executive Director of the Western Grain Elevator Association Wade Sobkowich says that really hurts us.
"Next time around when that same customer is looking at buying are they gonna buy from the country and the supplier that delivered, or are they gonna buy from the country that dropped the ball."
Sobkowich says more and more Canada is dropping the ball.
Senator Rob Black and Senator Mary Robinson have sent a letter to cabinet ministers urging swift and effective action regarding the ongoing labour disruption in Canada's Class 1 railways.
Black says the ability for farmers and the energy industry to transport their products via rail efficiently is essential.
"Labour disruptions can have severe consequences including food and financial losses, propane shortages and animal welfare issues."
Robinson points out that Canada cannot allow this rail dispute to disrupt our entire supply for the ninth time in six years.
She says the strike will negatively impact all facets of our national economy.
The Wheat Growers Association (WGA) points out that Canadian agriculture contributes $150B to our GDP and say its appalling that strike action by a few can hold a national economy hostage and that we have heard nothing from the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay.
Coming down to the strike deadline the WGA says we've seen a shameful response by the Federal Government.
President Gunter Jochum noted that they've (WGA) spoken directly with the Minister of Labour on several occasions, only to be told that binding arbitration will not be used.
"It is shocking that the Minister of Labour will not use the tools available to him, including Sec 107 of the Labour Act, to thwart the pending rail strike. It is unprecedented in recent memory, that both railways will be shut down simultaneously. This government is failing all Canadians, rather than prioritizing our national economy."
Meantime, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is encouraging CN, CPKC and the unions to work out a deal on their own.
"This is an issue that we are following extremely closely and moving forward on in every way we can. The minister was just meeting with the two sides yesterday, and he continues to be in Calgary working on this."
He says his message is very straightforward.
"It is in the best interest of both sides to continue doing the hard work at the table to find a negotiated resolution. Millions of Canadians, of workers, of farmers, of businesses right across the country are counting on both sides to do the work and get to a resolution."