Statement on Strike Notice to CN

At 10:00 a.m. eastern today, the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference served CN with a strike notice effective Monday, August 26, at 10:00 a.m.

As meetings with the CIRB continue, the Board has yet to make a ruling that would force binding arbitration or end any work stoppage.

To protect workers' right to collectively bargain and frustrate CN's attempt to force arbitration, the union will take strike action to pressure CN into negotiating an agreement.

"By sidestepping the collective bargaining process and ordering binding arbitration, the federal government has undermined the foundation on which labour unions work to improve wages and working conditions for all Canadians. Bargaining is also the primary way our union fights for rail safety—all considerations that outweigh short-term economic concerns," said Paul Boucher, President of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.

The parties held a case management conference with the CIRB last night, and hearings are currently underway today to address preliminary issues. The timeline for a decision from the CIRB regarding the Minister’s referrals is still unclear at this time. The union is prepared to appeal to the federal court if necessary.

 

At over 130,000 members, Teamsters Canada is the country’s largest transportation and supply chain union. It’s also the largest union in the federally regulated private sector. They are affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents over 1.2 million workers in North America. 

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Media requests:
Christopher Monette
Director of Public Affairs
Teamsters Canada
Cell. : 514-226-6002 
cmonette@teamsters.ca