Canadian rail networks have shut down after union talks reach a deadlock

Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City have locked out workers, starting Thursday, after unsuccessful negotiations attempts with a major labor union.

The workers, represented by Teamsters Canada, have been negotiating since the expiration of contracts in December 2023.

The stoppage has halted movement of grain, potash, coal and other commodities across the country’s extensive freight rail.

Here is a timeline on the negotiations between the parties:

Dec. 31,2023 Contracts covering locomotive engineers, conductors and yard workers at CN and CPKC expire. Feb. 19, 2024 Teamsters claim that CN and CPKC are “not serious about negotiating and avoiding a work stoppage”. May 1, 2024 9,300 railway workers at both companies vote to strike as early as May 22. May 10, 2024 The Canadian government says it is moving to push back the start of a possible strike by railway workers. May 16, 2024 CPKC says its leadership, with the assistance of federal mediators, will resume negotiations meeting with Teamsters on May 17. May 23, 2024 CPKC says talks have hit a deadlock, predicting that a legal strike or a lockout would not likely occur before mid-July. June 7, 2024 The union says CN and CPKC rejected a proposal to stagger negotiations with both companies by two weeks. Aug. 5, 2024 The companies and union restart negotiations along with federal mediators, says Minister of Labor Steven MacKinnon. Aug. 9, 2024 Teamsters warns a work stoppage could start on Aug. 22 if a deal is not reached. Aug. 9, 2024 The rail companies say they would lock out employees on Aug. 22 if talks to negotiate a labor contract fail. Aug. 15, 2024 Minister Steven MacKinnon rejects a request by CN Rail to initiate binding arbitration. Aug. 17, 2024 CPKC says will halt any new rail shipments originating in Canada, and all new U.S. shipments destined for Canada starting on Aug. 20 if talks fail to progress. Aug. 18, 2024 The railroad operators issue lockout notices to workers represented by the Teamsters union. Aug. 19, 2024 Labor minister says he will meet with both companies and the union in Montreal to avert stoppage. Aug. 22, 2024 CN and CPKC shut down their rail networks in the country and lock out nearly 10,000 workers.

—Aishwarya Jain, Reuters