CN trains could be screeching to a halt in September, after the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) distributed strike notice to its members after bargaining halted on August 27. 

Conductors, yardmen and yard masters (traffic co-ordinators) could all be walking the picket line in September, but union reps hope the bargaining will continue with their employer. 

“There’s been no movement anywhere,”  TCRC local chairperson Tim Carroll said.

The decision to issue a strike notice stems from the cessation of talks between CN and the TCRC that began in May after the collective agreement between the two parties ended in July. The talks went on for only two days, with three sessions a day. The government appointed a conciliator to help in talks, and that person will serve until Sept. 5. After that a 21-day cooling period will be held, in which the strike votes will be calculated.  

A statement sent by CN’s corporate communications director Louis-Antoine Paquin said CN is still very much involved in the conciliation process, but would like to keep their comments on the issue short. 

“We are awaiting the conciliation commissioner’s final report, expected later this week. In the mean time, we will limit our comments,” the statement said. 

CN and the TCRC were discussing changes to their mileage cap and rest mandate, which decides how long a break the employees have between long shifts. Right now CN workers are entitled to 24 hours of rest based on each person’s judgement of their conditions when at home, and eight hours when away. According to Bryan Boechler, general chairperson with the TCRC, CN is trying to change that to government regulations, which are set at eight hours rest between shifts when an employee is at home, and only six hours when away. 

“They want to remove all our rest agreements,” said Boechler. “Let us be clear: the most important issue in these talks is the health and safety of the workers and of people living near railroads.”

Carroll said lack of rest is an issue that could endanger employees, and even the public. 

“Somebody not getting enough rest is always a concern,” he said. “I don’t think it’s healthy.”

A typical trip to Kamloops can be up to 12 hours, with a break, and then 12 hours back. Under the new provisions, the rail employee could be called out again after eight hours from the end of the initial trip. 

“I have the right to go to bed,” Boechler said. 

The statement issued by CN said the company is dedicated to the safety of the public and its employees. 

“CN does not normally speak to the detail of our bargaining position during negotiations, but we cannot let these assertions go completely unchallenged. Assertions made by the TCRC inaccurately represent the proposals on the table,” reads the statement. “CN is in an industry where safety is the subject of strict regulations, and all offers we make are in compliance with the law and are crafted in a manner that ensures the safety of our employees and the public. Our goal is a fair and equitable settlement with our employees which will further enhance the safety of the railroad.”

When on a trip outside of Jasper, rail employees stay in rest facilities or are put up at hotels. Carroll said the facilities have greatly improved over the years, since CN reduced their number. Now more hotels are used. 

The other issue is that rail employees have families, and working two days with only enough hours to catch up on sleep between can be hard on them.

“You have a life beyond the railway,” Carroll said. 

As for the mileage cap, right now CN employees have a 4,200 mile (6,720 km) a month maximum; under CN’s proposed plan, the new cap would be 7,500 miles (12,000 km). (The Canadian railway system has not converted to metric measurements).

Carroll suspects the new cap could trigger layoffs.

Just because a strike notice has been issued does not mean the employees will be striking. What it means is that a vote will be carried out. CN could lock out their employees as well. 

“By law we have to put out a strike notice to our members,” Boechler said. “That doesn’t mean we are, but legally we have the right.”

Boechler said the TCRC hopes to avoid a strike at all costs – it would affect between 75-85 employees in the area and their families between Jasper and Hinton. 

“We’re willing to return to the table,” he said. 

Carroll said he believes CN is forcing the union into voting in favour of a strike, but it is not what they ultimately want.

“It seems the company is rail-roading us into a strike,” he said, pun intended. “The union does not want a strike.”

As of right now CN has said they will not extend the conciliation period that ends on Sept. 5 and have not set any new dates for talks to resume. 

CN’s statement said the company is hoping to continue working with the TCRC. “CN has been working towards reaching a mutually satisfactory settlement with the union, and will continue to do so.”

“We invite the company to return to the bargaining table with an open attitude,” Boechler said. 

In 2007 CN’s conductors went on strike, and in December 2009 CN locomotive engineers picketed due to health and safety concerns as well. In total the strike would affect 2,700 conductors, yardmen and yard masters across Canada.