The federal government is asking a labor court to examine whether a strike by rail workers would jeopardize the health and safety of Canadians.
Sparked by concerns from industry groups, Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan’s request to the Canada Industrial Relations Board could push back a possible work stoppage that might otherwise begin in less than two weeks.
The court is responsible for reviewing agreements between workers and management about essential work that must continue in the event of a strike or lockout. Any work stoppage remains suspended until a decision on this issue is made.
Last week, employees of the country’s two main railway companies authorized a strike mandate that could lead to a walkout of some 9,300 workers as early as May 22 if they fail to reach new agreements on their contract demands.
The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, which represents conductors, engineers and yard workers at Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), has warned that a simultaneous strike in the two companies would disrupt supply chains on an unprecedented scale.
Industry groups have sounded the same alarm, with the Cargo Management Association of Canada saying a strike would halt shipments of essential products like chlorine for water and gasoline for cities, thus endangering the safety of residents.