UPDATES | LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT STRIKES
The Agri-Food Export Group wishes to inform you, through this page, of news and the latest updates regarding potential strikes in transportation and logistics that could impact your operations.
September 30, 2024 – Port de Montréal | Partial Strike
The SCFP Longshoremen’s Union, Local 375, filed a notice with the Maritime Employers Association (MEA) at 7 a.m. for a three-day strike at the Viau and Maisonneuve container terminals. The strikes starts today, September 30th.
Press Release | Partial Strike Notice
September 9, 2024 – Air Canada | Conflict
Air Canada and ALPA Reach Tentative Agreement on a New Four-Year Contract. Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge will stay in service.
Press Release | Air Canada and ALPA Reach Tentative Agreement on a New Four-Year Contract
September 9, 2024 – Air Canada | Conflict
Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge are preparing to gradually suspend their flights over a period of three days, potentially starting after September 15, 2024. This decision could impact the travel of our members for their international business, particularly for trade shows.
August 24, 2024 – CN & CPKC | Awaiting the Federal Court of Appeal
After a work stoppage of a few days, which began on August 22 at 10:01 PM, employees of CN and CPKC were required to resume their daily operations following the CCRI’s decision allowing Minister MacKinnon to impose mandatory arbitration. However, the Teamsters took the decision to the Federal Court of Appeal.
Press Release | Rail Workers Ordered Back to Work
Article | Furieux, des cheminots manifesteront devant Trudeau et ses donateurs libéraux mardi (in French)
August 23, 2024 – CN & CPKC | WILL RESUME OPERATIONS SOON
Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) railway companies will soon resume operations after their work stoppage, which began on August 22, 2024, at 12:01 a.m.
Press Release | News regarding the Canadian National (CN) and the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Dispute
To follow the negotiations, please visit CBC’s direct coverage online (in French)
For an overview of the conflict’s overall repercussions, if it had not been stopped by the government, see La Presse (in French)
August 22, 2024 – CN & CPKC | WORK STOPPAGE CONFIRMED
CN and CPKC started their work stoppage today at 12:01 a.m.
Press Release | CN and CPKC Begin Lockout
Export Group sent a press relase. The association evaluates that his situation is likely to create logistical and transportation issues throughout the conflict, with repercussions that could extend long after it ends. The Export Group is committed to keeping its members and the industry informed through press releases and on its LinkedIn. According to the Export Group, agro-food exporting companies will initially face the consequences of transporting inputs in their various daily operations. In addition, a return to normalcy could take numerous weeks due to the prolonged disruptions caused by the work stoppage.
Press Release
Two major partners of the Export Group, the UPA and the CTAQ, have issued an open letter in the newspaper La Presse.
(In French) Open Letter | Des impacts majeurs pour le secteur agroalimentaire
August 19th, 2024 | CN & CPKC
The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference has submitted a 72-hour strike notice to CPKC. Unless a last-minute agreement is reached, a work stoppage is scheduled to begin at 12:01 AM on Thursday, August 22.
Press Release: Teamsters Serve Strike Notice to CPKC
The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference received a formal 72-hour lockout notice from CN on August 18, 2024. Unless a last-minute agreement is reached, the work stoppage will start at 12:01 AM on Thursday, August 22.
Press Release: Teamsters Receive Lockout Notice from CN
Possible Impact of the Work Stoppage on the Agrifood Industry
Although the Canadian Industrial Relations Board deems that a work stoppage would not represent a “serious danger” to public health or safety, it still raises concerns about food security, fuel supply, and water treatment. The situation is expected to increase delivery delays, slowing down operations for many businesses, particularly in the agrifood sector. Unfortunately, alternatives to rail transport are limited, as a truck carries only one-third of the capacity of a rail car.
Consumers will likely see a rise in the cost of everyday goods such as food. Furthermore, such a conflict “would paralyze the Quebec and Canadian economies,” according to Véronique Proulx, CEO of the Quebec Manufacturers and Exporters Federation, as reported by La Presse.
Additionally, “producers may have to absorb some of these extra costs, especially when price increases in food are hard for consumers to bear,” noted Simon Baillargeon in La Presse. The ex-officio president of the Groupe Export agroalimentaire also voices concerns about the conflict, particularly with the harvest season approaching.
Groupe Export will keep its members informed about this potential third general strike since 1950.
References (in French)
Transport Routier | Grève des chemins de fer possible à partir du 22 août
La Presse | Branle-bas de combat pour les PME québécoises
Les Affaires | CN et CPKC: une grève qui pourrait tout changer
August 14th, 2024 – CN & CPKC
CN & CPKC: Certain delivery disruptions are anticipated due to the lockout scheduled for next week.
(article in French) Le CN et le CPKC commencent à interrompre leurs livraisons en prévision d’une grève | Radio-Canada
July 4th, 2024 – CBSA
Tentative Agreement Ratified: Union members of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have ratified the tentative agreement by a margin of 91%
June 11th, 2024 – CBSA
Strike Averted: A tentative agreement has been reached between the CBSA employees and the Treasury Board.
June 7th, 2024 – CBSA
PM – Strike measures by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) employees are currently suspended as mediation continues between the two parties.
(article in French) https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/2024-06-07/services-frontaliers/les-mesures-de-greve-sont-suspendues.php
AM – No agreement has yet been reached despite the two parties being in mediation since Monday. The 9,300 CBSA workers will go on legal strike at 4 p.m. today if no agreement is reached between the union and the Treasury Board of Canada by then.
Important: Border agents are considered essential workers and are not permitted to strike. Nevertheless, we can expect potential delays.
(article in French) https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2078623/conflit-travail-agence-services-frontaliers-canada
June 6th, 2024 – CN & CPKC
The threat of a strike at CN and CP is still looming. Here are some interesting articles that show the impact a strike by both rail lines would have (articles in French)
- https://www.lesaffaires.com/secteurs/manufacturier/plus-de-100-m-de-biens-bloques-par-jour-en-cas-de-greve-au-cn/650311
- https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/2024-06-04/quebec/les-manufacturiers-redoutent-une-greve-au-cn-et-au-cpkc.php
- https://cirb-ccri.gc.ca/fr/maintien-activites-au-cn-cpkc
For more informations on the negociations (articles in French)
June 5th, 2024 – CBSA
The CBSA has not yet initiated a strike, but the government has issued a statement: