Shippers are concerned that a prolonged CN Rail strike will delay movement of exports from the Prairies to port
About 3,000 CN employees went on strike Nov. 19, shutting down CN freight movements.
Farmers do not get paid unless they can ship products to port, said Todd Lewis, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan.
The strike comes on top of a “tremendously difficult production season” and trade issues in some markets.
“One in eight Canadian jobs depend on agriculture. When our sales slowdown it impacts businesses and jobs all across Canada.”
He called on the federal government to take action to keep the trains running.
Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture Dave Marit made the same request.
Marit is concerned that a strike will compromise Canada’s reputation as a reliable supplier of exports.
Spokespersons for the oil and potash industry are also concerned about the impact of a CN strike on movement of their commodities.
CN unions say the dispute isn’t about wages but is based on safety issues, overworked employees and short callbacks to work with two hours’ notice.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
