The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference has served CN with a 72-hour strike notice.
The Teamsters intend to strike as of 10 a.m. Eastern on Monday, Aug. 26.
CN proactively ended the lockout of the Teamsters on Aug. 22, following the Minister of Labour’s direction to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to impose binding arbitration between both parties.
CN officials said the company is focused on its recovery plan.
“Over the last nine months, CN has negotiated in good faith,” the company said in a release. “The Company consistently proposed serious offers, with better pay, improved rest, and more predictable schedules.
“This latest development confirms that the Teamsters never took negotiations seriously and that they had no desire to reach a deal,” the company added.
The impacts of this notice will depend on the timing of the CIRB. It is in the national interest of Canada that the CIRB rule quickly, before even more harm is caused.
