As a potential country-wide rail strike looms, business groups are urging the Canadian government to intervene and prevent it from happening.
The strike, which is set to take place on Tuesday, would affect both freight and passenger rail services across the country. This has raised concerns among business leaders who rely on rail transportation for their operations.
According to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, a rail strike would have a significant impact on the economy, causing disruptions in supply chains and potentially leading to job losses. They are calling on the federal government to take immediate action to prevent the strike from happening.
Similarly, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has also expressed their concerns about the potential strike. They have stated that small businesses, which make up a significant portion of the Canadian economy, would be hit the hardest by the disruption in rail services.
The CFIB is urging the government to use all available means to prevent the strike, including back-to-work legislation if necessary. They argue that the strike would have a devastating impact on small businesses, many of which are still struggling to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the other hand, the union representing the workers, Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, has stated that the strike is a last resort after months of unsuccessful negotiations with Canadian National Railway (CN). They are demanding better working conditions and more predictable schedules for their members.
CN, on the other hand, has stated that they are committed to reaching a fair agreement with the union and are willing to continue negotiations. They have also assured the public that they have contingency plans in place to minimize the impact of a potential strike.
As the deadline for the strike approaches, all eyes are on the federal government to see if they will intervene and prevent the disruption of rail services. The outcome of this situation will have a significant impact on the Canadian economy and the livelihoods of many businesses and workers.
