STATEMENT ON THE LOCKOUT AT CANADA’S TWO NATIONAL RAIL CARRIERS
August 22, 2024 – Winnipeg, MB – Today, Pulse Canada and the Canadian Pulse and Special Crops Trade Association (CPSC) issued the following statement on behalf of Chair Terry Youzwa and President Murad Al-Katib:
“For months, Pulse Canada and the CPSC have been clear that the federal government must use all tools at its disposal to ensure that Canada’s railways and economy remain open for business.
“We have worked constructively with likeminded groups through the #StopTheStrike initiative, calling on the government to act and providing viable solutions to avoid any disruption.
“The livelihoods of tens of thousands of farmers and over one hundred pulse and special crop companies have been ignored, as for the first time in our country’s history, both major national rail carriers have locked out their employees.
“For every day the rail stoppage lasts, the system requires at least one week to fully recover. This stoppage means cancelled contracts, customers lost, and irreparable damage done to our sector’s international reputation.
“We are renewing our call for Minister MacKinnon to invoke section 107 of the Canadian Labour Code and impose both sides into binding arbitration. This is the fastest way to get trains and our economy moving again.
“Our country’s leaders must show ambition, not apathy. The government must act now to stop the bleeding from this avoidable, self-inflicted wound so that Canadian farmers and agri-businesses can pick up the pieces.”
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For more information visit stopthestrike.ca or contact:
Jeff English
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Pulse Canada
204-960-1622
jenglish@pulsecanada.com