Dear Member,
We continue to follow developments related to the CP Rail work stoppage, which is now well into is second day after operations across the network ceased as of 12:01 AM on March 20th.
In a social media post issued earlier today, Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan re-affirmed his view that a negotiated settlement is the best way forward on this issue, and highlighted the need for CP and the Teamsters’ Union to reach an agreement as quickly as possible. He also acknowledged that the current disruption could not have come at a worse time, given the cumulative impacts of the supply chain challenges that Canadian exporters, importers and other stakeholders have experienced over this past year. The Minister indicated that he is in Calgary where negotiations are continuing with the aid of a federal mediator, and that he intends to remain there until an agreement has been reached.
As a follow-up to our correspondence of March 11, we sent a second LETTER to Minister O’Regan earlier today urging the government to take immediate action to end the labour disruption through the introduction of back-to-work legislation. The House of Commons resumed sitting today after a two-week break, meaning that MPs would be available to review such legislation should it be tabled within the coming days. Members may recall that the last time the government tabled back-to-work legislation was in response to the Port of Montreal strike in April 2021, which was introduced under an expedited process on April 27, passed by the House on April 29 and by the Senate on April 30, and came into effect on May 1st.
We will continue to keep a close eye on this situation and report to members as developments occur.
Sincerely,
Karen Kancens
Vice President