{"id":113356,"date":"2024-08-23T18:14:46","date_gmt":"2024-08-23T08:14:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=55558"},"modified":"2024-08-23T18:14:46","modified_gmt":"2024-08-23T08:14:46","slug":"canadian-transport-minister-forces-lockout-end-but-picket-lines-will-remain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=113356","title":{"rendered":"Canadian Transport Minister forces lockout end, but picket lines will remain"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just a few hours after a massive lockout was enforced by the two main Canadian rail freight operators, Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon decided to get involved and end it. At his request, the lockout has been lifted, and negotiations between the parties involved will now be arbitrated by the Canada Industrial Relations Board. However, the resumption of operations remains a question mark, as workers are going to continue their strategy of picket lines.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>The companies involved in the negotiations are Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), which have been in talks with trade union Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) for a new collective agreement. CPKC and CN welcomed the Ministerial decision to forcefully halt the lockout and implement binding arbitration, as they were the ones requesting it.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, TCRC called it \u201cshameful\u201d, accusing the two companies of taking the country hostage and manipulating the government. Despite the end of the lockout, \u201cpicket lines remain in place\u201d, said TCRC, making it unclear whether or not operations could actually restart soon. \u201c\u200b\u200bBy resorting to binding arbitration, the government has allowed CN and CPKC to sidestep a union determined to protect rail safety\u201d, the union added.<\/p>\n