CN asks Canadian Government to order binding arbitration in labour dispute

(Posted on 13/08/24)

Following the Canada Industrial Relations Board’s (CIRB) decision that does not bring the labour conflict any closer to a resolution, CN is formally requesting the Minister of Labour’s intervention under section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to protect Canada’s economy from the impacts of prolonged uncertainty.

CN transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year for its customers. With its nearly 20,000-mile rail network and related transportation services, CN connects Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. Midwest and the Gulf of Mexico, contributing to sustainable trade and the prosperity of the communities in which it operates since 1919.

Negotiations with the TCRC resumed on Wednesday. However, no progress has been made as the TCRC has not engaged meaningfully at the negotiating table.

While CN is willing to keep negotiating with the TCRC, the Company has lost faith in the process and is concerned that a negotiated deal is no longer possible without a willing partner. Therefore, the Company formally requests the Minister of Labour’s intervention.

Unless there is immediate and meaningful progress at the negotiating table or binding arbitration, CN will have no choice but to begin a phased and progressive shutdown of its network, starting with embargoes of hazardous goods, which would culminate in a lockout at 00:01 Eastern Time on 22 August.

Since the beginning of the year, CN has made four offers to the TCRC. The offers included points on wages, rest, and labour availability while remaining fully compliant with the government-mandated rules overseeing duty and rest periods. None of CN's offers compromised safety in any way. The latest offer proposed third-party arbitration. The union rejected all offers and has made no counter-proposals.

Supply chains require predictability to function properly. Unfortunately, even the possibility of an unpredictable labour disruption and subsequent disorderly shutdown creates a safety risk and unacceptable uncertainty for industries that depend on rail. Prolonged uncertainty will impact consumers and workers across industries and across Canada.

Latest News

30 Years of DUKC at Port Hedland

This year marks a significant milestone in maritime innovation as Port Hedland, Australia, celebrates... Read more

Major capital investment programme for ABP’s South Wales ports

Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s leading port operator, has announced the latest tranche... Read more

Strategic partnership for Vietnam-Japan green supply chain

During the Investment, Labour, and Trade Promotion Programme in Japan (November 16–22, 2025),... Read more

AD Ports signs two KEZAD land Leases of over 500,000sqm with Indian firms

AD Ports Group subsidiary Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi - KEZAD Group, the largest operator of integrated... Read more

AD Ports reports record Q3 net profit of AED596M

Abu Dhabi based AD Ports Group, a global enabler of integrated trade, transport, industry, and logistics... Read more

Peel Ports halves operational greenhouse gas emissions in five years

Peel Ports Group has achieved a 48% reduction in operational greenhouse gas emissions in the last five... Read more

Métivier appointed President and CEO of Trois-Rivières Port Authority

The Trois-Rivières Port Authority (TRPA) in Canada has announced the appointment of Mr. Anick... Read more

Automated pulp handling boosts efficiency and safety at Rauma terminal

Euroports commitment to continuously improving operational efficiency, enhancing workplace safety, and... Read more

Bilbao forges closer ties with the COSCO Group

Under the slogan ‘Your Intermodal Link Between China, Iberia and the Atlantic Markets,’... Read more

Hamburg promotes international exchange in China

Port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM) continues to strengthen its successful cooperation with Chinese port... Read more