CN/CPKC Rail Strike · Freight Group

CN/CPKC Rail Strike

CN/CPKC are the only 2 rail lines in Canada. We call them the DUOPLOLY in Canada. IN 20 plus years have never had both rail lines go down at the same time. The Teamsters are the union for both rail lines and normally negotiate 3 years deals and in past their agreements have been 1 year apart.

CPKC negotiations got delayed to bring them into 2024 same year as CN. CPKC has already advised they will NOT negotiate further, they will lock the union out Monday or Tuesday if they do not ratify. The rail lines expected like most of us in Canada that the CIRB Canadian Industrial Relations Board would make the rail lines essential. The CIRB did not, actually stated they are not essential and can strike. Dumbfounded as they move food, meat, pharma, grain, steel and all bulk exports overseas and to the USA.

The rail lines want our Liberal Government to intervene. They expect after 3 days of being shut down the Feds will mandate all back to work. The 3 day shut down is part of the overall cost, the rail lines started shutting down this week not the 22nd as posted in all statements. The rail need a week to reposition and become fluid for every day they are down, hence the reason the $$ is much higher than only 3 days.

My entire week as been planning trucks for contingency with our teams. Carriers smell blood after dealing with low rates since COVID. A FF asked us to pay $14,000 from BC to ON yesterday, normal rate with rail is $3000.00. We are trans loading and moving at $6000.00.

For those who do not work with rail, stop asking carriers in Canada how they can justify the rates. All are affected and carriers are far more sophisticated as they are following the rail announcements

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