The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is warning that a possible work stoppage at the country’s two major railway companies, which could happen as early as this week, would be devastating for small businesses.
The association representing independent businesses points out that many small businesses rely on rail services to send and receive essential goods, products and materials.
The FCEI believes that the work stoppage could also disrupt public transportation and travel to major cities such as Montreal or Toronto.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Canadian National Railway (CN) both face a work stoppage starting Thursday if they fail to reach an agreement with workers represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.
CPKC workers have filed a strike notice that would see them walk off the job as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern time Thursday. CN plans to lock out its workers at the same time unless a settlement or binding arbitration is reached by then.
Both CPKC and CN have suspended shipments in anticipation of a possible work stoppage that would involve 9,300 workers from both railways.
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