Metrolinx is closely monitoring the developments in the labour dispute at Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City, which resulted in over nine thousand workers being locked out on Thursday morning. This caused a halt in freight traffic and commuter rail service in major cities across Canada. While CN ended its lockout on Thursday evening and trains started moving again on Friday morning, the Teamsters union issued a 72-hour strike notice against the railway that same morning.
A spokesperson for Metrolinx has promised to keep customers updated, particularly the more than eight thousand Go Transit riders on the Milton line and the Hamilton GO station who have been impacted by the shutdown over the past two days. The union has announced that workers will go on strike at 10 am ET on Monday. This strike notice came after CN’s decision to end the lockout in response to the federal government’s imposition of binding arbitration in the ongoing labour dispute. The TCRC President, Paul Boucher, expressed concerns about the government’s intervention in the collective bargaining process, stating that it undermines the union’s ability to improve wages, working conditions, and rail safety for Canadians.
The statement from CN mentioned that the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) has yet to make a final ruling on whether binding arbitration will be forced or if the work stoppage will end. CN stated that their decision to end the lockout was made to expedite the recovery of the economy as they await the formal order from the CIRB. The railway company emphasized the importance of resolving the labour dispute swiftly for the benefit of the economy and all involved stakeholders. Metrolinx is working to provide timely updates to affected customers and ensure minimal disruption to commuter rail services.
The labour dispute between CN, CP Kansas City, and their workers has had a significant impact on freight traffic and commuter rail services across Canada. While CN has ended its lockout, the Teamsters union has issued a strike notice, indicating that workers will go on strike on Monday. The federal government’s decision to impose binding arbitration in the dispute has sparked concerns from the union about the impact on collective bargaining and rail safety. CN’s decision to end the lockout was motivated by the need to expedite economic recovery, pending the final ruling from the CIRB.
Metrolinx is actively monitoring the situation and providing updates to affected customers, particularly Go Transit riders on the Milton line and the Hamilton GO station. The ongoing labour dispute highlights the challenges faced by essential transportation services and the importance of swift resolutions for the economy and public transportation. As the situation evolves, stakeholders are working to ensure minimal disruption to commuter rail services and find a resolution that addresses the concerns of workers, rail companies, and the government. Customers are encouraged to stay informed and plan accordingly for potential disruptions in the coming days.
