Rail Operations Resume, But Delays Loom - Retail Council of Canada
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Rail Operations Resume, But Delays Loom

August 27, 2024

Last Thursday, August 22, 2024, Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon directed the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to enforce final binding arbitration. This move ordered Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) to immediately resume operations. Over the weekend, and after new strike threats emerged, the CIRB upheld the Minister’s directive and sent the parties back to work. CN and CPKC, and commuter trains operating on those lines, have since resumed service. However, backlogs caused by the disruption could take days, if not weeks, to clear. 

CN and CPKC are advising their retail clients to speak directly to their customer service representatives to understand the unique implications this will have on the movement of their goods.

RCC’s swift media and advocacy efforts helped resolve the rail work stoppage with urgency. We will continue to keep our members informed as the situation develops. For questions, please contact Matt Poirier, VP Federal Government Relations mpoirier@retailcouncil.