Canada’s 2 major freight railroads at a full stop; government officials scramble

TORONTO (AP) — Canadian government officials are meeting urgently after both of Canada’s major freight railroads came to a full stop because of a contract dispute with their workers. The impasse could bring significant economic harm to businesses and consumers in Canada and the U.S. if the trains don’t resume running soon. Business leaders fumed over the lack of government intervention so far. Government officials have put pressure on the parties to settle but haven’t forced arbitration. Canadian National and CPKC railroads both locked out their employees after the deadline of 12:01 a.m. EDT Thursday passed without new agreements with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference. The union represents about 10,000 engineers, conductors and dispatchers. Contract talks are set to resume Thursday morning (Aug. 22, 2024).