{"id":15587,"date":"2024-06-07T12:46:46","date_gmt":"2024-06-07T16:46:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/groupexport.ca\/?p=15587"},"modified":"2025-10-30T09:00:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T13:00:10","slug":"updates-logistics-transport-strikes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/groupexport.ca\/en\/updates-logistics-transport-strikes\/","title":{"rendered":"UPDATES | LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT STRIKES"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

September 30, 2024 – Port de Montr\u00e9al | Partial Strike<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.\u00a0The strikes starts today, September 30th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Press Release | Partial Strike Notice<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

September 9, 2024 – Air Canada | Conflict<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Air Canada and ALPA Reach Tentative Agreement on a New Four-Year Contract. Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge will stay in service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Press Release | Air Canada and ALPA Reach Tentative Agreement on a New Four-Year Contract<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

September 9, 2024 – Air Canada | Conflict<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Press Release | Air Canada Prepares for Orderly Shutdown to Mitigate Customer Impact Resulting from Labour Disruption<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

August 24, 2024 – CN & CPKC | Awaiting the Federal Court of Appeal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>
Article | Furieux, des cheminots manifesteront devant Trudeau et ses donateurs lib\u00e9raux mardi<\/a> (in French)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

August 23, 2024 – CN & CPKC | WILL RESUME OPERATIONS SOON<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To follow the negotiations, please visit CBC’s direct coverage online<\/a> (in French)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For an overview of the conflict’s overall repercussions, if it had not been stopped by the government, see La Presse<\/a> (in French)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

August 22, 2024 – CN & CPKC | WORK STOPPAGE CONFIRMED<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

CN and CPKC started their work stoppage today at 12:01 a.m.
Press Release |  CN and CPKC Begin Lockout <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

August 19th, 2024 | CN & CPKC<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Possible Impact of the Work Stoppage on the Agrifood Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 V\u00e9ronique Proulx, CEO of the Quebec Manufacturers and Exporters Federation, as reported by La Presse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Groupe Export will keep its members informed about this potential third general strike since 1950.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

References (in French)
Transport Routier | Gr\u00e8ve des chemins de fer possible \u00e0 partir du 22 ao\u00fbt
<\/a>La Presse | Branle-bas de combat pour les PME qu\u00e9b\u00e9coises
<\/a>Les Affaires | CN et CPKC: une gr\u00e8ve qui pourrait tout changer<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

August 14th, 2024 – CN & CPKC<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

CN & CPKC<\/strong>: Certain delivery disruptions are anticipated due to the lockout scheduled for next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(article in French) Le CN et le CPKC commencent \u00e0 interrompre leurs livraisons en pr\u00e9vision d\u2019une gr\u00e8ve | Radio-Canada<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

July 4th, 2024 – CBSA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tentative Agreement Ratified: Union members of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have ratified the tentative agreement by a margin of 91%<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>(article in French) https:\/\/www.lapresse.ca\/actualites\/2024-07-04\/services-frontaliers\/l-entente-de-principe-enterinee-a-91.php<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

June 11th, 2024 – CBSA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Strike Averted<\/strong>: A tentative agreement has been reached between the CBSA employees and the Treasury Board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/psacunion.ca\/tentative-agreement-reached-more-9000-workers?_ga=2.201162286.1436086429.1723639697-2003820486.1723639697<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

June 7th, 2024 – CBSA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

PM – Strike measures by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) employees are currently suspended as mediation continues between the two parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(article in French) https:\/\/www.lapresse.ca\/actualites\/2024-06-07\/services-frontaliers\/les-mesures-de-greve-sont-suspendues.php<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important: Border agents are considered essential workers and are not permitted to strike. Nevertheless, we can expect potential delays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(article in French) https:\/\/ici.radio-canada.ca\/nouvelle\/2078623\/conflit-travail-agence-services-frontaliers-canada<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

June 6th, 2024 – CN & CPKC<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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)<\/p>\n\n\n\n