Both Canadian National  and Canadian Pacific Kansas City have locked out their Teamsters Union employees. This is the first time a work stoppage has happened simultaneously at Canada’s two largest railways. More than 9,000 workers were locked out after no contract agreement just after midnight this morning (Thurs). A news release from CPKC says throughout nearly a year of negotiations, they have remained committed to trying to avoid this work stoppage, but a negotiated outcome with the union is not within reach. CN offered to submit to binding arbitration in June and CPKC is now calling for the same.

Terry Youzwa from Nipawin is the Chair of Pulse Canada. He says a labor disruption impacts farmers’ bottom line in several ways.

The Vice-Chair of the Canola Council of Canada, Dave Roberts says elevators have been rationing space with harvest ready to begin. He runs through the anticipated economic losses for canola producers.

(with files from CKRM)