CN and CPKC Rail Work Stoppage to End

Minister of Labour Steven MacKinnon has directed the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to impose final binding arbitration on the negotiating parties, to extend the coverage of the current collective agreements until new ones are negotiated, and most importantly, for Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) to resume operations as soon as possible. 

RCC members should note that while this is positive news that should bring the rail work stoppage to an end, the process that must now be taken involves multiple steps and requires actions be taken by independent bodies, namely the CIRB. 

It is not yet known when rail services will resume exactly nor how today’s backlogs will be worked through. RCC will continue to update members as this information from the government and from the railways becomes available. 

RCC is pleased that our advocacy has contributed to what looks to be a quick end to the labour stoppage. But even a short disruption can still cause a lot of harm. RCC will continue to support members in the days ahead to get retail operations back up and running.

For more information contact Matt Poirier, VP, Federal Government Relations at mpoirier@retailcouncil.org.