By Alice McFarlane

NFU says CN Rail and CPKC dispute should be resolved through negotiation

Aug 22, 2024 | 2:40 PM

While several farm groups have voiced their concern over the lockout of workers at Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), one organization believes the two sides should be left to negotiate a deal without government interference.

Teamsters Canada Rail, the union that represents workers, has been in negotiation with both rail lines since 2023. The collective bargaining agreements for Canada’s two freight rail lines expired in December 2023 and negotiations have not been successful.

Teamsters has cited the attempts of CN and CPKC to undermine work fatigue and safety concerns in the collective bargaining process.

National Farmers Union (NFU) board member in Saskatchewan Will Robbins said using farmers anxieties around harvest time to punish reasonable requests from railway workers is bad faith.

“As a farmer, I do not like being used as a bargaining chip. Railways are key infrastructure for farmers and to produce food in Canada,” Robbins said. “This infrastructure must serve the interest of Canadians, including farmers and workers, rather than be used for profit-making.”

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Robbins said farmers and railway workers have much in common – they are both looking for dignified work and a fair return for their labour.

In response to a vote to strike by Teamsters in May 2024, former Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan asked the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to rule on the essential nature of railway workers, and their ability to strike. After four months, CIRB ruled that Teamsters could strike and begin on Aug. 22.

CPKC issued a lockout notice for Aug.22, and in response, Teamsters announced they will begin striking on Aug. 22 as well. CN Rail has also issued a lockout notice to begin on the same day.

Al Birchard, a grain and pulse grower, said the railway duopoly is pressuring workers to accept unsafe working conditions which jeopardize worker safety and the proper operation of the Canadian railway system.

“Back to work legislation will not address long term issues that could affect the ability of farmers to deliver their grain,” he said.

Between 2013 and 2023 CN Rail’s annual net income has doubled from $2.6 billion to 5.6 billion. During the same period, CPKC’s annual net income more than tripled from $875 million to $3.9 billion.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @farmnewsNOW