The Teamsters Union is challenging binding arbitration that was ordered by Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon yesterday (Thurs). The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference issued a 72-hour strike notice to CN Rail this morning (Fri). The letter to CN says the union doesn’t believe any of the matters that have been discussed over the last several days are insurmountable, so they want to negotiate to resolve the matter without a further work stoppage.

CN ended the lockout yesterday (Thurs) after Ottawa announced it would refer the two rail companies and the union to binding arbitration through the Canadian Industrial Relations Board. Meanwhile, the Teamsters union with CPKC is challenging the binding arbitration directive. The labour board held a meeting with both rail companies and the union last night and there was a hearing this morning. The tribunal will have a decision later today.