By Allison Lampert
MONTREAL (Reuters) – The Canada Industrial Relations Board on Saturday ordered an end to work stoppages at the country’s largest railroads, signaling the end of an unprecedented disruption to operations at the country’s two main freight railroads.
The independent labour tribunal made its decision after Canada asked it on Thursday to end an impasse in separate talks between more than 9,000 members of the Teamsters union and Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City.
In addition to ordering the industrial action to end, the Board also complied with the Government’s requests to require the parties to undergo binding arbitration to reach new agreements and to enforce the continuation of existing contracts until new agreements are concluded.
The panel’s decisions are the latest twist in the labor dispute at CN and CPKC, which on Thursday locked out members of the Teamsters union and triggered a rail stoppage that, according to trade associations, could cause economic damage amounting to several hundred million dollars.
Canada, the world’s second-largest country by area, relies heavily on rail to transport a variety of goods and commodities. The disruption could drastically impact farmers and agribusinesses in both Canada and the United States.
The labour court’s decision will prevent a strike by engineers, conductors and other workers at CN in Montreal planned for 10 a.m. ET (2 p.m. GMT) Monday, just days after Canada’s largest railroad ended a lockout and began resuming service. The Teamsters confirmed their CN workers would not strike on Monday.
“This CIRB decision sets a dangerous precedent,” said Paul Boucher, president of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference. “It sends a message to Canadian business that all large companies have to do is shut down operations for a few hours and cause short-term economic damage, and the federal government will step in to bust a union. Canadian workers’ rights have been significantly curtailed today.”
A CN spokesman said the company would have preferred a negotiated settlement, but “we are satisfied that this ends the work stoppage.”
CPKC was not immediately available for comment.
The Teamsters union has said it will legally comply with any CIRB decision but is prepared to appeal in federal court if necessary.
On Thursday, Canada’s Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said his move to refer the matter to the CIRB would stand up in court because he has broad powers under the country’s labour law.
The Teamsters union wants its members’ working conditions and wages to be determined through collective bargaining, although there are disagreements with CN and CP over work hours, shift length and availability. CN, for example, wants employees to work up to 12-hour shifts, compared to 10 hours in the current collective agreement, which the union opposes.
(Reporting by Allison Lampert in Montreal; Editing by Rod Nickel)
