Canadian National Railway workers approve strike mandate, action looms in January

Posted on December 2, 2024   |  

CN mechanics and clerks voted strongly in favor of a strike mandate, with job action possibly starting on January 1.

Unifor reported that 97% of mechanics and 96% of clerks supported the mandate.

The mechanics include 2,100 technicians, machinists, crane operators, and electricians, while 1,500 clerks handle administration and customer support.

Unifor will restart talks with CN in Montreal on Monday, continuing until December 8.

The strike mandate gives workers the option to strike if negotiations fail.

In August, 9,300 CN and CPKC workers stopped work, disrupting supply chains until federal intervention ended the strike.

The August strike showed the serious economic effects of rail disruptions in Canada.