CN/CPKS Strike pushed out https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-moves-push-back-start-date-possible-rail-strike-2024-05-10/

[Shakey]

OTTAWA, May 10 (Reuters) - The Canadian government is moving to push back the start of a possible strike by railway workers at Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), an official said on Friday.
Workers represented by the Teamsters union last week voted overwhelmingly to strike as early as May 22. Railways are critical to Canada's economy, due to its vast geography and exports of grain, potash and coal.
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Late on Thursday, federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan said he had asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board to look at whether the strike might have safety implications. Until the board has issued a decision, the strike cannot start.
In an emailed statement, the Teamsters union said it was reviewing O'Regan's move and would "obviously comply with any order" from the board.
O'Regan acted after stakeholders expressed concern about the effect of a stoppage on healthcare infrastructure, in particular shipments of propane, which is used as a back-up generator fuel for rural hospitals, said the official, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation.
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There is no set timeline for the board to issue a decision.

 

[Shakey]

The following provides an update on CPKC’s collective bargaining with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC).



The Minister of Labour has referred a question to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to determine if, contrary to the agreement the minister states was reached by the railway and the union, any rail activity must continue during a strike or lockout to protect the health and safety of Canadians.



This referral means a legal strike or lockout cannot occur until the CIRB renders its decision. The timing for the CIRB decision is unknown.



Pursuant to the Canada Labour Code, the parties are currently in a mandatory 21-day cooling off period, which would otherwise expire at 23:59 ET on May 21. CPKC and the TCRC leadership are scheduled to meet again next week to continue negotiations with the assistance of federal mediators.



Our supply chains need stability, now more than ever. CPKC believes these negotiations need to be resolved in a timely manner to provide certainty for the Canadian economy and for North America’s supply chains.

 

[Shakey]

@Michael Ludwig, did your client pull any of theirs? We have one client from the West and just had a bunch for next week cancel. It was a fun run this week.

 

[Michael Ludwig]

@Michael Ludwig, did your client pull any of theirs? We have one client from the West and just had a bunch for next week cancel. It was a fun run this week.

Sure did. Now they don't know what to do since the unions are waiting for a government decision that could take weeks or even months before they are back in a strike position.
I have some friends over at Amazon and they put all their intermodal stuff back on the rails and cancelled their OTR contracts.