The outage at CP Rail, which began on March 20, has come a period of turmoil in which supply chain tensions, soaring fuel prices and the war in Ukraine are putting increasing pressure on Canada and the global economy.
The CP and the union Teamsters CanadaRail Conference (TCRC) said they could not reach an agreement under federal-mediated negotiations by the March 20 deadline, after which both sides would begin to suspend operations.
“Shortly before the lockout was announced, the Team Stars Union expressed its desire to continue negotiations,” the TCRC said on March 19. statement.. “Unfortunately, employers have chosen to put their Canadian supply chain and tens of thousands of jobs at risk.”
Dave Fulton, a TCRC spokesman for the negotiation table, said in a statement that the union was “extremely disappointed in the order of this event.”
“Canada Pacific management must be taken to deal with this situation,” he said. “”They set a deadline for lockouts tonight as we proceeded with negotiations. In addition, they moved the goal post when it was time to discuss the final and binding terms of arbitration. “
TCRC represents approximately 3,000 locomotive engineers, conductors, train and yard workers across Canada. Its central demands are on wages, benefits and pensions.
The CP has not started the lockout and states that the outage is due to the TCRC striking.
“We are deeply disappointed that the TCRC Negotiations Committee did not respond to the company’s latest proposals offered by federal mediators in the last few hours before strikes and lockouts could occur. doing.” Said Keith Creel, CP President and Chief Executive Officer.
“Instead, TCRC has chosen to withdraw the service before the strike or lockout deadline is legal.”
In an email reply to The Epoch Times, TCRC spokesman Stephen Lacroix pointed out his organization’s website when asked to comment on the allegations that the Canadian Pacific Railway did not begin to shut down. I did, but declined further comments.
Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan states that he is involved in the conflict and is staying in Calgary, a forum for negotiations, until the situation is resolved.
“On the second day of the outage, CP and Team Stars Rail remain at the table. We believe in their ability to reach an agreement. Canadians expect them to do it as soon as possible. “Oregan said on March 21st. Tweet..
For farmers who rely on rail to transport fertilizer before the planting season, outages can be seriously damaging.
Industry groups are calling on the federal government to intervene to stop the turmoil.
Karen Proud, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fertilizer Canada, said: statement..
“75% of Canada’s total fertilizer is transported by rail. Every day, frankly, every hour before sowing in the spring is important. During this critical time, our members are in Canada. Relies on uninterrupted rail services to deliver products to our farmers’ customers and international markets. “
Whether moving food or fertilizer to grow food, long-term outages have a significant negative impact on the already soaring cost of living for Canadians. The problem is not only local, Ukraine is a major grain exporter, and its production and exports will be affected by Russia’s recent invasion.
Sylvain Charlebois, a professor of Dalhousie who runs the university’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab, says the risk of labor disputes is extremely high.
“There are no two ways to say this … the whole planet can’t afford a long labor dispute on the CP railroad,” he says. Said March 21st CTV.
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Noé Charter is a Montreal-based Epoch Times reporter.