Ottawa Ontario - In a Friday update, the railroad said the board (Canadian Industrial Relations Board - CIRB) will provide another update in the event another decision is not made by that time.
 
CPKC said in its own update that the board had advised it would issue its decision without holding oral hearings.
 
Canada's Minister of Labour, Seamus O'Regan Jr, asked the board on 9 May 2024 to determine if some critical shipments might be required to continue even in the event of a work stoppage.
 
That move prevents the start of any strike or lockout until after the board makes a ruling.
 
Members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) had authorized strikes against both railroads that could have begun as soon as 22 May 2024.
 
CN notes that even after the ruling, a 72 hour notice must be filed by the party planning to initiate a strike or lockout, "subject to any extension of the cooling-off period that may be ordered by the CIRB."
 
CPKC said late last month it had asked the board to extend the cooling-off period for 30 days after it issues its decision to "allow all stakeholders to plan" for a potential work stoppage.
 
The Minister of Labour asked the board on 9 May 2024 to determine if some critical shipments might be required to continue even in the event of a work stoppage.
 
That move prevents the start of any strike or lockout until after the board makes a ruling.
 
Author unknown.