The Teamsters of Canada (TCRC), comprised of more than 9,000 employees of Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway (CPKC), announced on 1 May that its union members voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike, and that they would strike as early as 22 May.
The president of the TCRC said a simultaneous work stoppage at CN and CPKC would disrupt the supply chain on a scale that could be unlike anything Canada has ever experienced.
This follows a major strike at the Port of Vancouver. On that occasion, it is understood that some 52 ships were loaded and stranded with grain.A professor of operations management at Western University says a rail strike or lockout would have a much greater impact on the Canadian supply chain than a strike at the Port of Vancouver.
The contract between the railway company and unionised workers expires on 21 December 2023, it is understood. If the two sides fail to reach a new agreement this time, rail freight and passenger services across Canada will be disrupted at that time.
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Rail is vital to the Canadian economy due to its vast size and heavy reliance on rail transport for exports of grains, potash and coal.
In addition to a possible strike in Canada, Argentina is also facing the impact of a strike. On 9 May local time, a national strike launched by Argentina's largest union, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), may bring the country to a standstill.
The general strike will affect normal operations in all sectors and will have a serious impact on the economy. The strike will cause major disruptions to transport and commercial operations and will also affect all port operations.
Kuehne + Nagel has issued a warning on its website that trade unions across Argentina will begin a 24-hour national strike on 9 May. Cargo transport and port operations in Buenos Aires are expected to be disrupted.
All cargo owners and forwarders are requested to make shipment plans and contingency plans in advance, pay attention to the local strike dynamics in time, and understand the information of cargo nodes in transport so as to update the next transport plan to avoid unnecessary losses!
https://www.cnss.com.cn/html/gkdt/20240515/353238.html
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