The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference has voted to re-authorize labor action as they await a government ruling that would permit it.
Workers from Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Southern, Canada’s largest railroads, have overwhelmingly voted in favor of striking unless a new labor deal is reached, the union announced Saturday.
The vote by over 9,200 Canadian railroad workers does not immediately trigger a strike but positions members to conduct a work stoppage if a new contract is not negotiated. The previous labor agreement expired on December 31, 2023.
According to the union, 98.6% of the 89.5% of members who voted between June 14 and June 29 supported the strike authorization.
This marks the second time the union has authorized a strike this year. A previous strike authorization on May 1 allowed the union to initiate a work stoppage on May 22. However, intervention by Canada’s Minister of Labour, Seamus O’Regan, halted that strike as the Canada Industrial Relations Board was asked to investigate the potential impact on Canadians’ health and safety.
Canadian National, CPKC, and the union have submitted information regarding the potential impact of a strike on the delivery of critical supplies, including food, propane, and fuel. A spokesperson for the industrial relations board stated that the submissions are under review, but no timeline for a decision was provided.
Until the Canadian government issues a decision, the union cannot legally strike. Canadian law requires another vote because the previous strike authorization expired on June 30.
The union is now positioned for another 60 days to legally strike, with a work stoppage potentially starting 72 hours after the government announces its decision.
Represented employees include locomotive engineers, conductors, train and yard workers, and rail traffic controllers. Approximately 3,300 work for CPKC, and around 6,000 are employed by Canadian National.
Negotiations between the union, Canadian National, and CPKC began in November, but no new labor agreement has been reached. The union is seeking better wages, improved working conditions, and flexibility on fatigue management.
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