A labour stoppage at Canada’s two main railways that halted freight shipments and snarled commutes across the country is poised to last only four days.
It’s slated to end first thing tomorrow morning (Monday) after the federal labour board ordered Canadian National Railway, Canadian Pacific Kansas City and their workers to resume operations.
However, the matter may not be settled for good since the Teamsters union, which represents workers with both companies, is pledging to appeal the ruling in court, saying the decision sets a dangerous precedent for labour rights.
C-N says it aims to ramp up shipments as quickly as possible, while C-P-K-C says it has ended its lockout and asked workers to return today (Sunday).
The full financial impact of the shutdown remains unclear. Credit rating agency Moody’s warned the shutdown could cost the economy 341-million dollars per day with agriculture, forestry and manufacturing among the hardest-hit sectors.
