(file photo/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By The Canadian Press

Rail dispute

Liberals move to force binding arbitration, return to work in railway labour dispute

Aug 22, 2024 | 3:33 PM

The federal government will ask the Canada Industrial Relations Board to end the lockout at the country’s two biggest rail companies.

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he’s asking the board to order a return to work and to impose binding arbitration.

He said the impacts of the work stoppage, which started last night, are being felt by all Canadians.

Canadian National Railway Co. and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. locked out 9,300 engineers, conductors and yard workers after the parties did not agree on new contracts before deadline.

Business groups and farm organizations have been urging the government to step in with binding arbitration or back-to-work legislation, warning of massive economic consequences that could cost an estimated $341 million per day.

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NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said earlier today his party wouldn’t support any interference in the bargaining process by the Liberals.