Hunter Harrison to CP

The Canada Industrial Relations Board has upheld a ministerial direction for compulsory arbitration and a back-to-work order to end the rail lock out that began on 22 August.

CN employees will resume work Friday following government intervention, while the CPKC work stoppage continues pending the CIRB decision.

Unable to reach an agreement with the Teamsters, CN and CPKC locked out 9,300 workers and shut the Canadian rail system down.

With less than 24 hours till a strike/lockout takes place, CN and CPKC are making little if any progress in negotiations with the Teamsters.

As Canada heads towards a nationwide rail strike CN and CPKC have stopped accepting certain cargo types as they prepare their Canadian networks for a full shutdown.

A truck driver shortage is causing congestion at intermodal terminals in Toronto and forcing CN and CP to meter train loading at ports in British Colombia.