Labour tribunal to review potential risk in CN strike

The federal government is asking a labour tribunal to review whether a strike by railworkers would jeopardize Canadians' health and safety.

Prompted by concerns from industry groups, the request to the Canada Industrial Relations Board from Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan may push back a potential work stoppage that could otherwise start less than two weeks from now.

“It is unlikely a decision will come down by May 22,” said labour tribunal spokesman Jean-Daniel Tardif in an email. “Written submissions alone will likely take longer.”

The board is set to examine what, if any, critical shipments must continue in the event of a strike or lockout, with a would-be work stoppage on pause until a decision on that issue is made.

“Serious concerns have been raised about potential impacts to the health and safety of Canadians. It's our duty to look into this,” O'Regan said in a social media post on Thursday evening.

Last week, employees at the country's two main railways authorized a strike mandate that could see some 9,300 workers walk off the job as soon as May 22 if they are unable to reach new deals on contract demands.

The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, which represents conductors, engineers and yard workers at Canadian National Railway Co. and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd., has warned that a strike at both companies simultaneously would disrupt supply chains on an unprecedented scale.

Industry groups have sounded similar alarm bells.

The Freight Management Association of Canada said a stoppage would see shipments of critical commodities such as chlorine for water and gasoline for cities grind to a halt, potentially jeopardizing residents' safety.

The labour minister referred the issue to the industrial relations board after receiving a letter from the Canadian Propane Association, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter. The Canadian Press is not naming the sources because they were not authorized to speak publicly.