Transport

Both the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway (CPKC) and the Canadian National Railway (CN) had unresolved collective agreements with unions since the expiration of their previous agreements on December 31, 2024. With negotiations running up against job action deadlines, collaborative efforts between the rail companies and unions successfully addressed key issues to avoid rail stoppages.

As of Thursday, October 31 at 11 am (EDT), the Longshoremen’s Union CUPE, Local 375, will begin strike action affecting the two container terminals operated by Termont, the Viau and Maisonneuve terminals.

The Port of Montréal Longshoremen’s Union, CUPE Local 375, has issued a strike notice consisting of a complete stoppage of work on Port of Montréal territory for 24 hours, from Sunday, October 27 at 7:00 a.m. to Monday, October 28, at 6:59 a.m. This action includes dockworkers at all terminals of the port (including the Contrecœur terminal).

This morning, the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) received notice from the Longshoremen’s Union of the Port of Montreal of a three-day strike, effective from 7 a.m. on Monday, September 30 to 6:59 a.m. on Thursday, October 3.

On August 29, the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) filed legal appeals of the Minister of Labour’s directives and the ruling by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to end the work stoppage and mandate binding arbitration.

Following the rail stoppage last week, trains are now moving on both the Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway (CPKC). Representatives from CN and CPKC indicated at an industry meeting today that all embargos have been lifted, however it will take a few weeks before backlogs are sorted and service returns to normal levels.

On Saturday August 24, the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ordered CN and CPKC workers back to work and imposes binding arbitration. 

Following yesterday’s announcement by the Minister of Labour indicating that he was invoking section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, the Canadian National Railway (CN) announced that it was ending their lockout effective 6:00 pm (EDT) on August 22.

On Thursday afternoon, the Minister of Labour invoked Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code which allows the government to refer a labour dispute to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to find a solution.

With the imminent simultaneous disruption of Canada’s two national rail carriers, CN and CPKC, there will be significant impacts on the feed industry and the livestock sector.

Take action and join the campaign initiated by the agriculture sector to push the government to prevent this rail stoppage. It takes less than 30 seconds to express your support.