Canadian rail ordered to stay open, settle disputes

Canadian railroads have been ordered to remain open amid ongoing labor disputes.

Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek tells Brownfield the Canada Industrial Relations Board is obligating the involved parties to arbitration to settle negotiations.

"In the meantime while that arbitration process is ongoing, a lockout or a strike is not permitted so as of Monday workers were returning to their jobs and a resumption of service is in the process," he explains.

He says the situation is not much different than the U.S. Congress and President Biden intervening during a potential rail strike in 2022.

"The interests of the broader economy and the entire population outweigh the concerns of the two parties -- the U.S. Federal government had that conclusion a couple of years ago," he says. "It appears the Canadian government is having that similar conclusion."

The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference says it plans challenge the order in court.

Steenhoek says smooth transportation between both counties is essential to also supporting the U.S. ag economy.