Talks aimed at resolving the strike at Canadian National Railways broke down March 7 with no agreement and no negotiations scheduled.
Bulk grain shippers say they still have experienced no major ill-effects from the strike, which saw about 5,000 clerical, mechanical and administrative employees walk off the job Feb. 20.
“We haven’t seen any significant delays and that continues to be the case,” Canadian Wheat Board spokesperson Rheal Cenerini said March 8.
CN unloaded 2,360 rail cars at Vancouver and Prince Rupert the week ending March 6, up from about 1,900 the two previous weeks.
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CN spokesperson Jim Feeny said railway service has been relatively unaffected by the strike, with the exception of intermodal traffic.
As for bargaining, representatives from CN and the Canadian Auto Workers met last weekend in Montreal with mediators appointed by the federal government.
The talks ended at midnight March 7, when CN withdrew its offers, leaving only the tentative contract agreed to Jan. 23. That deal was rejected by CAW members.
In a commentary posted on the CAW website March 8, union officials said “substantial progress” had been made during the weekend talks and urged CN to return to the table.
