Rail dispute directed to Canada Industrial Relations Board

Government of Canada Labour Minister, Steven MacKinnon, is pushing for resolution, and an end to the rail labour stoppage.

Under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, MacKinnon announced he has “directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to assist the parties in settling the outstanding terms of their collective agreements by imposing final binding arbitration.”

Ag groups call for resolution ahead of potential rail stoppage

Binding arbitration is a process to resolve disputes that involves an impartial arbitrator. The arbitrator’s decision would be final, effectively ending the dispute.

MacKinnon has also asked the Board to order the railways to resume operations using current collective agreements until there are new deals in place.

It is unclear when operations will resume, but MacKinnon is hopeful it will be a matter of days.