MONTREAL — Canadian National has begun refusing certain hazardous materials shipments in preparation for an Aug. 22 work stoppage.
CN said the decision was made in light of a lack of progress in negotiations with Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, which represents the railway’s engineers and conductors in Canada.
“CN has initiated the first step of a phased and progressive shut down of its rail network in Canada,” spokesman Jonathan Abecassis says.
Among the chemicals CN is no longer accepting: Chlorine, used to purify drinking water; bromine, used as a cleaning agent; ammonia, used as fertilizer; chloropicrin, a fungicide used on stored grain; and ethylene, used as anesthetic, a refrigerant, and to make other chemicals.
CN aims to deliver as many hazardous materials shipments as possible between now and Aug. 22, which is the earliest a work stoppage can occur. TCRC has pledged to strike, and CN and CPKC have both said they plan on locking out employees in Canada at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 22.
CN said that unless there is progress in contract talks, or negotiations head to arbitration, it will have to further restrict certain commodities.
Canadian Pacific Kansas City, CSX, and Norfolk Southern also have issued embargoes on hazardous materials shipments within or bound for Canada.
Note: Updated at 4:03 p.m. Central with information on additional embargoes.
