Shipping and Logistics
CRU: Canadian government orders halt to rail stoppage
Written by CRU
August 23, 2024
Canada’s government has ordered an end to the brief rail stoppage which threatened to disrupt the movement of commodities.
Trains operated by Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) are expected to start running again within days, Reuters quoted Canada’s Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon as saying.
The two rail companies had locked out more than 9,000 workers who are part of the Teamsters union after they were unsuccessful in reaching an agreement over issues related to scheduling, labor availability, and work-life balance.
The Canadian government on Aug. 22 said it would ask the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to issue a back-to-work order.
CN said the same day it had ended its lockout and initiated a recovery plan.
CPKC said that the resumption of its services would be delayed pending the result of the CIRB back-to-work order. The board is independent and must first consult workers represented by the Teamsters union, which is planning to challenge the constitutionality of the Canadian government’s order.
The CIRB was set to meet with the union and CPKC officials later on Friday.
Latest in Shipping and Logistics
US-flagged ore shipments on Great Lakes down in 2024
The Lake Carriers’ Association reported a 4.5% y/y decline in December’s ore shipments of 4.6 million short tons.
ILA, port operators reach tentative deal to avoid strike
Both sides had agreed to extend the current contract to Jan. 15 to continue talks
Wittbecker: Challenges ahead for container freight in 2025
In 2024, volatility with a capital “V” has been the rule. That will remain high heading into 2025.
Reibus: November flatbed rates cool after October bump
Following the short-lived East Coast port labor strike in October, we now turn toward the Jan. 15 deadline to reach a long-term agreement.
Reibus: Flatbed, dry van rates ticked up post-hurricanes
After closing the third quarter -3.84% on a y/y basis, our first look at fourth-quarter flatbed spot rates puts us virtually flat y/y, coming in at -0.68%.