CPC Sends Letter to Minister of Labor to End Rail Strike

The Canadian Pork Council along with other agriculture and agrifood organisations signed a letter sent to Minister of Labour Tassi regarding the impact the strike between Teamsters Canada and CN Rail is having on farmers and their families.

In the letter, CPC urges recently appointed Minister of Labour Filomena Tassi to put strong emphasis on a speedy resolution to the strike by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference against Canadian National Railway (CNR) that began on November 19th.

“Signatories respectfully ask that you pursue all avenues within your authority to help bring the talks between Teamsters Canada Rail Conference and CNR to a successful conclusion. This includes strongly encouraging the two parties to enter into voluntary binding arbitration”

 

“We are mindful and appreciative of the need to respect the collective bargaining process and of the federal mediation efforts being made at present. However, we want to alert you to the need for a speedy response to this situation, in light of the serious consequences that this strike has already had – and will continue to have – on our sector.

“Canada’s agricultural sector relies heavily on the transportation of our crop inputs (e.g. fertilizer), energy supplies (e.g., propane) and commodities (e.g. grains and meats) by rail.

“Any disruption to this essential service can lead to loss of markets and crops and could have a negative impact on animal welfare. All or any of these issues will have a significant and negative effect on our farm families and on those employed throughout our supply chain.

“We respectfully ask that you pursue all avenues within your authority to help bring the talks between Teamsters Canada Rail Conference and CNR to a rapid successful conclusion. This includes strongly encouraging the two parties to enter into voluntary binding arbitration.

You can read the letter here.

Source: Canadian Pork Council (CPC)