Canadian Freight Train System Shuts Down

Both of the major Canadian freight train networks have locked out employees represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Train & Engine division effective at 1:00 PM EDT on August 22 after the union hasn’t come to terms with the railways to avoid a labor disruption.

CN and CPKC (Canadian Pacific Kansas City) have been negotiating with the union for nearly a year but did not agree to terms before the scheduled lockout.

These railroads are a primary source of moving goods from Canada to the U.S. and Mexico so companies expect that major disruptions will occur. Lines in the U.S. and Mexico will continue to operate.