{"id":2328774,"date":"2024-08-21T20:00:53","date_gmt":"2024-08-22T00:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/major-freight-railroads-grinding-to-a-stop-union-threatens-to-halt-all-trains\/"},"modified":"2024-08-21T20:07:23","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T00:07:23","slug":"major-freight-railroads-grinding-to-a-stop-union-threatens-to-halt-all-trains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/major-freight-railroads-grinding-to-a-stop-union-threatens-to-halt-all-trains\/","title":{"rendered":"Major Freight Railroads Grinding to a Stop, Union Threatens to Halt All Trains"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmajor-freight-railroads-grinding-to-a-stop-union-threatens-to-halt-all-trains%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2328774&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Canada&#8217;s two \u2064<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-steps-in-to-help-end-freight-rail-carrier-and-union-disputes\/\" title=\"Biden steps in to help end freight rail carrier and union disputes\">major freight railroads<\/a>,\u200c Canadian National and CPKC, are on the verge\u200c of a shutdown due to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ford-lays-off-more-employees-amid-uaw-strike-bringing-total-to-nearly-1800\/\" title=\"Ford cuts more jobs due to UAW strike, now at almost 1,800 in total.\">unresolved contract negotiations<\/a> with their workers&#8217; union, representing engineers, conductors, and\u2064 dispatchers. As the deadline approaches,\u2062 the railroads have started halting operations, beginning with the suspension of shipments\u2063 of hazardous \u200cmaterials and perishables to avoid them being stranded.<\/p>\n<p>The Canadian government is monitoring the situation, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging both parties to reach an agreement to avoid significant economic disruption. Trudeau&#8217;s administration is cautious about intervening too forcefully to avoid straining \u200drelations with the unions.<\/p>\n<p>The negotiations are centered on scheduling, worker fatigue management, \u200band \u200cthe proposed shift from performance-based pay to hourly wages. Past negotiations in the\u200b U.S., where CSX railroad reached an agreement with some of its\u2063 unions without prolonged disputes, could serve as a reference.<\/p>\n<p>If the dispute leads to a complete halt of train services, it \u200bcould \u200cseverely impact manufacturing, logistics, and supply chains, \u2063as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/europeans-burning-trees-for-energy-as-green-policies-batter-countries\/\" title=\"Europeans Burning Trees for Energy as Green Policies Batter Countries\">businesses rely heavily<\/a> on rail transport. With nearly\u2064 10,000\u200d workers affected, interruptions \u200ccould lead to blocked \u2064ports and severe repercussions for industries across Canada.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section>\n<p>Canada&rsquo;s two major freight railroads could halt their trains Thursday if they cannot agree to renewed contracts with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/shocking-number-of-front-line-health-care-workers-refusing-covid-19-vaccine\/\" title=\"Shocking Number of Front Line Health Care Workers Refusing COVID-19 Vaccine\">union representing<\/a> their engineers, conductors and dispatchers. Canada&rsquo;s government is watching closely and may intervene to prevent widespread damage to the economy.<\/p>\n<p>Both Canadian National and CPKC have been gradually shutting down since last week ahead of the contract deadline of 12:01 a.m. Eastern Thursday, and all traffic will stop before then if this is not resolved. Shipments of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/law-enforcement-officials-say-train-carrying-hazardous-materials-derailed-railroad-company-objects\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hazardous chemicals<\/a> and perishable goods were the first to stop, so they would not be stranded somewhere on the tracks.<\/p>\n<p>As the Canadian contract talks were coming down to the wire, one of the biggest U.S. railroads CSX, broke with the U.S. freight rail industry&rsquo;s longstanding practice of negotiating jointly for years with the unions. CSX reached a deal with several of its 13 unions that cover 25 percent of its workers ahead of the start of national bargaining later this year.<\/p>\n<p>The new five-year contracts will provide 17.5 percent raises, better benefits and vacation time if they are ratified. The unions that have signed deals with CSX include part of the SMART-TD union representing conductors in one region, the Transportation Communications Union, the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen and the Transport Workers Union. TCU President Artie Maratea said he is proud that his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chicago-teachers-union-refuses-plan-to-reopen-schools\/\" title=\"Chicago Teachers Union Refuses Plan to Reopen Schools\">union reached<\/a> a deal &ldquo;without years of unnecessary delay and stall tactics.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been reluctant to force both sides into arbitration because he does not want to offend the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference and other unions, but he urged both sides to reach a deal Wednesday because of the tremendous economic damage that would follow a full shutdown.<\/p>\n<p>  <script> \t\t\t\tif( ! getCookie( 'ff_subbed' ) ) if( typeof FFADS.replace_ict !='undefined' ) if( FFADS.replace_ict ) eval( FFADS.replace_ict ); \t\t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It is in the best interest of both sides to continue doing the hard work at the table,&rdquo; Trudeau said to reporters in Gatineau, Quebec. &ldquo;Millions of Canadians, workers, farmers, businesses, right across the country, are counting on both sides to do the work and get to a resolution.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Trudeau said the labor minister met with both sides in the Canadian National talks in Montreal on Tuesday and would be on hand for the CPKC talks in Calgary, Alberta. The talks at both railroads were ongoing Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/congressman-reveals-epic-power-move-trump-pulled-negotiations-taliban-leader-definition-strength\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">negotiations<\/a> are stuck on issues related to the way rail workers are scheduled and concerns about rules designed to prevent fatigue and provide adequate rest to train crews. Both railroads had proposed shifting away from the existing system, which pays workers based on the miles in a trip, to an hourly system they said would make it easier to provide predictable time off.<\/p>\n<p>The railroads said their contract offers have included raises consistent with recent deals in the industry. Engineers make about $150,000 a year on Canadian National while conductors earn $120,000, and CPKC says its wages are comparable.<\/p>\n<p>Nearly 10,000 workers are covered by these contracts.<\/p>\n<p>Countless businesses that rely on railroads to deliver their raw materials and finished products would be hurt if the trains do stop. All rail traffic in Canada and all cross-<a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/border-patrol-agents-ordered-put-show-clear-streets-migrants-kamala-harris-first-trip-border-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">border<\/a> traffic with the U.S. would stop, although CN and CPKC&rsquo;s American and Mexican operations would continue.<\/p>\n<p>Manufacturing companies may have to scale back or even shut down production if they cannot get rail service, while ports and grain elevators will quickly become clogged with shipments waiting to move. And if the dispute drags on for a couple weeks, water treatment plants all across Canada might have to scramble without new shipments of chlorine.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;If railways are not picking up the goods that are coming in by ships, then pretty soon your terminals get filled up. And at that point you cannot take any vessels at the terminal anymore,&rdquo; said Victor Pang, Chief Financial Officer at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.<\/p>\n<p>He pointed to the 13-day strike by 7,400 British Columbia dockworkers last summer, which manufacturers said blocked the flow of $368 million (U.S.) worth of goods each day.<\/p>\n<p>Some companies would undoubtedly turn to trucking to keep some of their products moving, but there is no way to make up for the volume <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/train-cars-carrying-plastic-plunge-river-derailment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">railroads<\/a> deliver. It would take some 300 trucks to haul everything just one train can carry.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-style: italic;\">The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\">  <\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> <label>* Name<\/label> <br \/> <input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> <\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> <label>* <\/label> <br \/> <input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> <\/div>\n<p> <label>* Message<\/label> <br \/> <textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea>  <\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> <input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\">  <\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]]=document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display='block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src=firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id']=firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting=jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display='block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script>  <\/div>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\">  <\/div>\n<style> \t\t\t \t\t\t.insticator-unit.type-commenting{margin: 0 10px 25px 10px}@media screen and (max-width:1060px){#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{margin: 0 auto 25px auto !important;}}#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{height: 280px !important; width: 336px !important} \t\t<\/style>\n<div class=\"insticator-unit type-commenting\">\n<div class=\"insticator-ads\">   <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> <\/div>\n<div class=\"insticator-ads additional\">   <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Canada&#8217;s two primary freight railroads may stop their operations on Thursday if they fail to reach new contracts with the union that represents their engineers, conductors, and dispatchers. The Canadian government is closely monitoring the situation and might step in to avert significant economic repercussions. Since last week, both Canadian National and CPKC have been progressively winding down operations in anticipation of a contract deadline set for 12:01 a.m. Eastern Thursday; all traffic will cease if an agreement isn&#8217;t reached by then. Shipments of hazardous materials and perishable items were halted first to prevent them from being stranded on the tracks.<\/p>\n<p>As negotiations approached this critical point, CSX, one of the largest U.S. railroads, broke away from the traditional practice of joint negotiations with unions that has characterized the U.S. freight rail industry for years. CSX successfully negotiated agreements with several of its 13 unions representing about 25% of its workforce ahead of national bargaining scheduled for later this year. If ratified, these new five-year contracts would provide raises totaling 17.5%, along with improved benefits and vacation time.<\/p>\n<p>The unions that have reached agreements with CSX include parts of the SMART-TD union (which represents conductors in certain areas), as well as members from other organizations like the Transportation Communications Union and Brotherhood of Railway Carmen. TCU President Artie Maratea expressed pride in achieving a deal &#8220;without years of unnecessary delay.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been hesitant to impose arbitration on both parties due to concerns about upsetting Teamsters Canada Rail Conference and other unions but urged them to come to an agreement Wednesday because a complete shutdown would cause severe economic damage.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It is in both sides&#8217; best interest to continue working hard at negotiating,&#8221; Trudeau stated during a press conference in Gatineau, Quebec. He emphasized that millions across Canada\u2014workers, farmers, businesses\u2014are relying on both parties to resolve their differences.<\/p>\n<p>Trudeau mentioned that Canada&#8217;s labor minister had met with representatives from Canadian National earlier this week in Montreal and would also attend discussions involving CPKC in Calgary later on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>Negotiations are currently stalled over scheduling issues for rail workers as well as rules aimed at preventing fatigue among train crews while ensuring adequate rest periods are maintained. Both railroads proposed moving away from paying workers based on trip mileage towards an hourly wage system they claim would allow for more predictable time off.<\/p>\n<p>The companies assert their contract proposals include pay increases consistent with recent industry agreements; engineers earn approximately $150,000 annually at Canadian National while conductors make around $120,000\u2014CPKC claims similar wage levels exist within its ranks.<\/p>\n<p>Nearly 10,000 employees are affected by these contracts; numerous businesses dependent on railroad services for transporting raw materials or finished products could face significant challenges if trains cease operation entirely across Canada or halt cross-border traffic into the U.S., although CN&#8217;s American and Mexican operations would remain unaffected.<\/p>\n<p>Manufacturers might need to reduce production or even shut down facilities without reliable rail service while ports could quickly become congested due shipments awaiting transport\u2014a scenario echoed by Victor Pang\u2014the Chief Financial Officer at Vancouver Fraser Port Authority\u2014who noted how previous strikes had severely disrupted goods flow worth hundreds of millions daily when dockworkers went on strike last summer.<\/p>\n<p>While some companies may resort to trucking alternatives during disruptions caused by halted train services\u2014it\u2019s important noting it takes roughly 300 trucks just carry what one train can transport efficiently<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2328775,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/9d83a35875af4183b7fc7b7806e5c004-scaled.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[38884,38886,38885],"class_list":["post-2328774","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-freight-railroads","tag-transportation-disruption","tag-union-strike"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/9d83a35875af4183b7fc7b7806e5c004-scaled.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2328774","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2328774"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2328774\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2328775"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2328774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2328774"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2328774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}