CN Railway Workers Begin Strike

Nearly 2,800 Canadian National Railway Co. workers went on strike Saturday in Montreal as union talks broke down with the transportation company.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported that while the workers’ union has alleged the strike falls within the Canadian Industrial Relations Board’s labor code, company officials have said they will petition the organization to have the strike declared illegal.

CN Railway Co. President E. Hunter Harrison immediately issued a news release saying the company’s passenger service would not be interrupted by the strike as management personnel would fill in where needed.

CN’s comprehensive strike contingency plan will assure freight service across our network in Canada during this unfortunate labor action, Harrison said.

The company and the United Transportation Union had previously agreed to maintain GO Train service at Toronto’s Union Station in the presence of a union strike.

The CBC reported that Western Canada’s top rail shipper, the Canadian Wheat Board, expressed concern about the strike, which follows recent transportation delays caused by cold weather.