The Canadian government successfully intervened to end the rail strike at Canadian National and CPKC, preventing significant supply chain disruptions in Canada and the U.S. Last Thursday, approximately 9,300 workers were locked out after failed contract negotiations.
The railroads closed for about a day before the government imposed forced arbitration, which led to the workers returning. The Teamsters union, dissatisfied with the ruling, plans to appeal to federal court, criticising the decision as a dangerous precedent that undermines workers' rights.
Photo: Dreamstime.
The ruling has been supported by both railroads, with CPKC stating it resolves 'months of unnecessary uncertainty and disruption', in an article on Furniture Day. The potential for severe economic impacts had prompted concern from both Canadian and U.S. chambers of commerce.
While the immediate crisis has been averted, attention now turns to another potential strike involving 85,000 East and Gulf Coast dockworkers, whose contract negotiations face a September 30 deadline.
Source: www.furnituretoday.com