Work stoppage would harm small businesses and major resource exporters alike, B.C. economist warns
With a potential Canada-wide railway worker strike less than two days away, B.C. business leaders are warning that such an action would raise prices for consumers and have devastating impacts on the province's economy.
One step up the supply chain, at the small business level, Peacock said the impacts would be even worse. Restaurants often rely on rail services to import fresh food and beverages and non-food related businesses rely on the transportation method to send and receive products, parts and essential materials.
Restaurants Canada also issued a statement, noting that 47 per cent of restaurants are currently operating at a loss or breaking even. Depending on how long a potential railway strike lasts, Peacock said the impacts would be disastrous for B.C.'s economy. It could also harm Canada's reputation as a major transporter on a global scale – something Peacock said the country has worked hard to build over the last two decades.
CN made a request to federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon asking him to use binding arbitration to force a deal, but MacKinnon rejected the request last Thursday , saying he wanted the company to bargain in good faith.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
CN Rail issues lockout notice to union, Canada-wide freight rail stoppage loomsCanadian National Railway, one of Canada's two main rail companies, formally notified the Teamsters union in Canada on Sunday that it would start locking out...
Read more »
Factbox-Key facts about Canada's biggest rail operators as massive work stoppage loomsCanada is facing unprecedented simultaneous stoppages at both of its main freight rail operators which could inflict billions of dollars worth of economic...
Read more »
Canada rail companies and union must work hard to reach deal, says OttawaCanada's two main railway companies and the Teamsters union must do the hard work necessary to reach labor deals and avoid a full stoppage, federal Labour...
Read more »
In face of major rail strike deadline, minister says parties must 'do the hard work'Labour Minister Steven Mackinnon is calling upon CN Rail, the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference to 'do the hard work necessary' to prevent a potential railway stoppage.
Read more »
Potential work stoppage at CN Rail, CPKC would be ‘devastating’ for small businesses, CFIB saysJasmin Guenette, the group’s head of national affairs, said the longer a work stoppage goes on, ‘the costlier it becomes for small firms who may lose sales and contracts’
Read more »
Ottawa tells rail companies, union to work harder to avert crippling stoppageUnless agreements are reached, both Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City will shut down at the same time early on Thursday for the first time in history
Read more »