The Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ordered thousands of rail workers back to work on Saturday to end a bitter wage dispute that led to the closure of the country’s two largest railroad companies, the Canadian Press reported (08/24/24).

The CIRB’s decision commits all parties involved to binding arbitration following an unprecedented work stoppage at Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) that halted freight transportation and impacted commuter traffic across the country. The CIRB said binding arbitration is set to begin on Thursday, August 29.

The panel’s decision came just two days after Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon ordered the independent arbitrator to begin arbitration, saying the parties were at an impasse and Canadian businesses and trade relations were at stake.

The union representing the 9,300 affected workers challenged the government’s move before the committee, but the court said it had no jurisdiction to rule on the validity of the minister’s order.

“The Board has concluded that in this case it has neither discretion nor ability to refuse to implement the Minister’s instructions in whole or in part or to change their terms,” ​​wrote Chair Ginette Brazeau in two rulings.

Brazeau called on the two companies, as well as the affected train drivers, conductors, dispatchers and shunting workers, to resume operations starting Monday, August 26, at 00:01.

The ruling not only ends the lockout and the simultaneous strike at CPKC, but also effectively nullifies the 72-hour strike notice given by the union to CN on Friday.

The railroad companies expect a full recovery to take several weeks, pointing out that both lines have been implementing gradual shutdowns for about two weeks. As time for negotiations ran out, shipping companies became more cautious, wary of leaving cargo – from meat to medicine, chlorine and other dangerous goods – on the tracks in the event of a work stoppage.

The Teamsters said they would comply with the court’s decision but planned to appeal because the decision sets “a dangerous precedent.”

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