Order ending Canadian rail work stoppage appealed

A Canadian rail employees union is appealing federal government orders that last week forced the resumption of rail service and sent the union and two railroads to binding arbitration.

The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) filed an appeal with the Federal Court of Appeal on Thursday, challenging labour minister Steven MacKinnon's order ending the work stoppage and sending the parties to binding arbitration under the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). The union also appealed CIRB's 24 August decision upholding that order.

"These decisions, if left unchallenged, set a dangerous precedent where a single politician can bust a union at will," union president Paul Boucher said.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) declined to comment on the appeal, saying only that "operations continue and recovery is progressing well."

Canadian National (CN) did not address the appeal directly but said it is prepared to participate in binding arbitration. "While that process is ongoing, we are focusing on our recovery plan and powering the economy," CN said.

MacKinnon's 22 August order ended the work stoppage less than 18 hours after the union launched a strike at CPKC, while CPKC and CN locked out union members. The work stoppage froze ongoing rail operations, even though shipments of hazardous materials and other products had already ceased.

The union subsequently notified CN that members would go on strike on 26 August. That strike was averted by the CIRB ruling on MacKinnon's order.

By Abby Caplan