The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is calling on all parties to reach an immediate agreement to prevent a work stoppage at Canada’s major railway companies, Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. (CPKC) and Canadian National Railway Co. (CN) currently scheduled at 00:01 ET Thursday, August 22.
“Any disruptions to railway operations could be devastating for small businesses, their employees and communities. Many small businesses rely on rail services to send and receive goods, products and essential materials. The longer the work stoppage goes on, the costlier it becomes for small firms who may lose sales and contracts if goods are not delivered or received on time,” said Jasmin Guenette, Vice-President, National Affairs.
“These shutdowns will also disrupt public transit and commuting to big cities such as Toronto or Montreal and lead to increased business costs and supply chain disruptions.
“Although the decision by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) prohibited the maintenance of certain activities during a work stoppage, politicians still have the power to change labour laws. CFIB continues to call on the government to make ports and rails an essential service, so they remain fully operational at all times.”
The CFIB is Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 97,000 members across every industry and region.
“Rail shipments are vital to retail supply chains as our industry gears up for back-to-school and the holiday shopping season. A shutdown of Canada’s two main railway companies would be a one-two punch to retailers that could result in empty shelves across the country. RCC urges the parties to come to an immediate resolution and for the federal government to step in immediately if they do not,” said the Retail Council of Canada.
“RCC has joined a chorus of 80+ business associations in calling for immediate action by the Prime Minister and government to avert a disastrous shutdown of Canada’s rail network. Retailers need reliable rail to ensure Canadians have access to all the goods they need for their daily lives.”
