Federal government imposes binding arbitration, ending railway stoppage after less than 24 hours

The federal government has decided to impose binding arbitration between the Teamster's Canada Rail Conference, CN Rail, and CPKC.

The worker's union and the two companies had entered into a lockout at 12:01 a.m. this morning.

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon announced the decision at a news conference in the afternoon.

That came after the Canada Industrial Relations Board set August 22 as the date for strike action, following a decision that labeled the rail industry as non-essential.

Canada's rail system has ground to a halt

CN and CPKC took steps early Thursday morning to lockout over 9000 employees who are members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference after an agreement was not reached.

In a press release following the lockout, CN notes that they chose to lock out employees after the union did not respond to another offer by CN in a final attempt to avoid a labour disruption.

CN says over the last nine months they have negotiated in good faith

There is time, but time is running out - Farm groups call for binding arbitration as strike deadline nears

For weeks now, the agriculture sector has been calling for action to avoid a potential rail strike urging the Federal Government to take action to stop the strike.

On Wednesday, with just hours left before the strike deadline for over 9000 CN and CPKC workers they gathered once again to voice their concerns.

Terry Youzwa, a farmer from Nipawin and chair of Pulse Canada says we're staring down a rail stoppage of historic proportions.

The threat of a national rail strike is looming closer; WGEA says Canada is dropping the ball

 the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference says the roughly 9000 CN and CPKC workers involved could walk out as of 12:01 am Thursday.

The Executive Director of the Western Grain Elevators Association (WGEA) Wade Sobkowich says a national rail strike involving both railways will have a major impact, as there is no Plan B.

According to the WGEA we move roughly 50 million tonnes of grain per day by rail in Canada.

Sobkowich says the railways on Tuesday started preparing for a work stoppage situation with both railways embargoing all Canadian-origin products.

Prime Minister calls on railways and the union to reach a deal

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.

Taylor Ranches up for National Environmental Stewardship Award


A key highlight during the Canadian Beef Industry Conference is the naming of the winners for the 2024 National Environmental Stewardship Award.

Among the finalists for the title is Taylor Ranches a family run cow-calf operation on the Milk River Ridge southwest of Warner, Alberta.

Robert Taylor says he and his family operate an 800 head commercial black angus herd with a focus on wildlife management and habitat.

The Association of Manitoba Community Pastures up for national stewardship award

A key highlight during the Canadian Beef Industry Conference is the naming of the 2024 national winners for The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA).

TESA recognizes producers who go above and beyond standard industry conservation practices and set positive examples for their peers and the general public. 

Among the finalists for the national title is the Association of Manitoba Community Pastures (AMCP).

KAP calls on producers and politicians to get involved and Stop the Strike

The President of the Keystone Agricultural Producers Jill Verwey is very disappointed to see we are on the verge of a major rail strike. 

Canadian Pacific Kansas City, Canadian National and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference have been at the bargaining table for months. 

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.

Block Ranching Ltd - Saskatchewan's 2024 TESA finalist competing for national title

 

One of the highlights for today at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference will be the announcement of the 2024 National TESA award winners.

The Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes producers who go above and beyond standard industry conservation practices and set positive examples for their peers and the general public. 

Among those competing for the National title is Block Ranching Ltd at Abbey.

Neil Block and his family along with a hired hand run a cow-calf, backgrounder and yearling operation in the Great Sandhills northwest of Swift Current.

Block Ranching Ltd - Saskatchewan's 2024 TESA finalist competing for national title

One of the highlights for today at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference will be the announcement of the 2024 National TESA award winners.

The Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes producers who go above and beyond standard industry conservation practices and set positive examples for their peers and the general public. 

Among those competing for the National title is Block Ranching Ltd at Abbey.

Neil Block and his family along with a hired hand run a cow-calf, backgrounder and yearling operation in the Great Sandhills northwest of Swift Current.