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CN strike threatens reputation of Canada's Asia Pacific Gateway
November 30, 2009
To: The Honourable Rona Ambrose, PC, MP, Minister of Labour; the Honourable John Baird, PC, MP, Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities; and, the Honourable Stockwell Day, PC, MP, Minister of International Trade and Minister for Asia-Pacific Gateway:
On November 25, 2009 the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) issued a 72-hour strike notice to CN indicating they may take strike action against the company on November 28, 2009.
Any actions which negatively impact or threaten to negatively impact labour stability in Canada's Asia Pacific Gateway or disrupt the national supply chain have the very real potential to further damage the Gateway's reputation for reliability. Experience has demonstrated that labour uncertainty can lead to diversions or long-term losses of international cargo and seriously impact Canada's trade potential; consequently this labour unrest could undermine the billions of dollars invested by senior governments into the Asia Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative.
Port Metro Vancouver therefore urges the federal government to pursue every avenue available to them to encourage the two sides in the dispute to resume negotiations immediately or otherwise reach a settlement and eliminate the present labour uncertainty, as effectively and as quickly as possible.
While we are aware that CN has the ability to implement strike contingency plans to maintain some freight operations, past experience has shown that the immediate impacts on this gateway will be significant and will escalate dramatically with each passing day of a strike.
Thank you for your government's continuing support and leadership on this difficult matter.