Canadian Government Takes Steps to Delay Start of Possible Railroad Strike
Canada moves to push back start date for possible rail strike
Citing potential safety concerns, the Canadian government is moving to push back the start of a possible strike by railway workers at Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kanas City (CPKC), which could start as early as May 22nd, Reuters reported.
Late on Thursday, Federal Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan said he had asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board to look at whether the strike might have safety implications. O’Regan acted after stakeholders expressed concern about the effect of a stoppage on healthcare infrastructure, in particular shipments of propane, which is used as a back-up generator fuel for rural hospitals, a source told Reuters.
Until the board has issued a decision, the strike cannot start. There is no set timeline for the board to issue its decision.
In a statement to Reuters, the Teamsters union said it was reviewing O’Regan’s move and would “obviously comply with any order” from the board.
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