Associations representing rural municipalities in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba are extremely concerned about the impacts of a potential rail work stoppage.
A nationwide labour dispute for both of Canada’s major freight railways and the union representing them is looming and it could begin as soon as the start of the day tomorrow (August 22nd).
According to a press release, the Rural Municipalities of Alberta along with the other two associations are fearful about the impact a work stoppage would have on “Prairie agricultural producers, consumers, and other industries crucial to rural communities.”
It goes on to state that “much of the grain produced in the Prairie provinces is exported internationally, meaning that without rail access to international ports there are simply no alternative markets available for producers.”
Western Canada’s rural municipalities urge the federal Minister of Labour, Steven MacKinnon, to “order binding arbitration if the railways and the union are unable to reach an agreement prior to Thursday.”