Canadian Pacific Railway customers are calling on the federal government to impose a return to work on employees of the Calgary rail carrier, where a work stoppage continued Monday for a second day in a row.
“We are asking all parties to find a solution very, very quickly,” said Brian Kingston, President and CEO of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association. “We appreciate the fact that they are back at the table today [lundi]. […] That said, if it becomes clear that there is simply no possible negotiated outcome, we encourage the government to consider other options. »
About 3,000 conductors, mechanics and other Canadian Pacific (CP) workers have been off work since the weekend. The company and the union representing the workers, the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, have accused each other of causing the work stoppage, although both have also said they are still talking to federal mediators.
Several industry groups have sounded the alarm about the potential economic consequences of a CP work stoppage, at a time when many companies are already grappling with supply chain difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather conditions and recent blockades of border crossings by protesters.
Agricultural sector
The Canadian agricultural industry is particularly concerned. Leaders of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and the National Cattle Feeders Association were in Ottawa Monday, urging the government to immediately end the work stoppage they say could devastate their industry. “If those trains don’t run, we may only have two weeks of feed left,” said Canadian Cattlemen’s Association President Bob Lowe, explaining that cattlemen in the Western Canada was dependent on rail shipments of animal feed from the United States this year in the wake of last summer’s drought and resulting widespread shortage of forage. “There is no plan B. We have no other source of food. »
“We are, in Canada, about four to six weeks out from the planting season. […] which means farmers may not be getting all the fertilizer they need,” said Fertilizer Canada CEO Karen Proud, adding that the situation was particularly concerning this year given the war in Ukraine. and its implications for world fertilizer supply and wheat and other grain prices.
Mme Proud added that the fertilizer industry felt it was time to introduce back-to-work legislation. “We certainly respect the collective bargaining process, but it is clear that these two groups have not been able to reach an agreement. And now the government must act immediately,” she said. “Some of our members who produce fertilizer don’t have the storage capacity if the product isn’t shipped by rail. We could therefore be a few days away from potentially having to stop our fertilizer production. »
Opponents of a special law
The House of Commons resumed Monday after a two-week break, so the legislation could come immediately if the government wants it. However, federal Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan was in Calgary on Monday and said in an emailed statement that he would stay there until the two sides reached an agreement. He further underlined that the government believed that the best deal would be reached at the negotiating table.
“We couldn’t agree more,” said Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labor Congress, who in a statement called on CP to “negotiate in good faith” with the Teamsters. “We hope that the negotiations can continue with the mediation and that we will avoid the intervention of the government. Let me be clear, back to work legislation is not necessary. »
New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh told reporters in Ottawa on Monday that using back-to-work legislation in a “cavalier” manner interferes with workers’ rights to use the ability to strike as a tool of negotiations to improve their working conditions. “The fact that this is already something being raised before workers have a chance to bargain sends a message to employers that they don’t have to bargain,” Singh said. “And that’s not true. »