Tensions have once again escalated within Canada's railway industry as negotiations between the two major railway companies and the railway unions have reached an impasse. The looming shadow of a workers' strike threatens to bring unprecedented freight stoppages across the nation.

On August 19, Maersk issued an announcement stating that it had received notification indicating that, following the expiration of the 13-day "cooling-off period" mandated by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), a potential railway stoppage could begin as early as August 22, 2024.

On August 18 (local time), Canadian National Railway officially informed the Canadian Truckers Union of its plan to impose a work stoppage order on unionized workers starting this Thursday. If the labor dispute is not resolved promptly, a phased shutdown of the operational network will commence, potentially leading to a complete halt in operations.

Should the railway workers strike, it would lead to a nationwide freight halt in Canada, potentially causing port congestion, supply chain disruptions, and a series of cascading effects with immeasurable economic losses. The impact would be particularly severe as the agricultural harvest season approaches, with soaring demand for transporting grain and other agricultural products. A railway strike could deal a devastating blow to the agricultural sector.

The union has stated that the primary reasons for the strike are the unresolved disputes over scheduling, safety, and wages between labor and management. Workers accuse the railway companies of unreasonable work schedules and forced relocation policies, which have led to long-term overwork without adequate compensation or protection. The railway companies, on the other hand, emphasize that they have been working to improve working conditions, but significant differences remain on key issues.