Mark Szakonyi, Associate Editor | May 28, 2012 2:34PM EDT
Canadian Pacific Railway shippers could see their raw materials and products move once again Thursday, as accelerated legislation to end a six-day strike takes effect, according to a report.
The back-to-work bill, expected to be introduced today, could become law in the second half of the week, according to Dow Jones. The government action comes after CP and the railroad union hit an impasse Sunday, dampening shippers’ hopes of getting their loads moving again on the Canadian network. CP operations in U.S. haven't been affected by the strike.
Canadian Labor Minister Lisa Raitt today urged the government again to end the strike between railroad management and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, which represents 4,800 engineers, conductors and rail traffic controllers.
"We're proposing legislation today to protect our recovering economy and resume rail services," Raitt said "Simply put ... the strike can't go on. We need to get the trains running again."
The Canadian government said the strike could cost the broader economy roughly $500 million per week. The strike over an attempt to scale back union pensions is the latest battle in the national clash between organized labor and transportation companies, namely Air Canada and Canada Post.
Contact Mark Szakonyi at mszakonyi@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @szakonyi_joc.
