(The Canadian Press circulated the following article on March 24.)
MONTREAL — The federal government has named two mediators to help Canadian National Railway Co. and the union representing signal and communications employees reach a deal and avoid a strike called for midnight tomorrow. “I am hopeful that with a willingness to be flexible and much hard work, the parties will be able to reach a settlement without a work stoppage,” Labour Minister Joe Fontana said yesterday.
The railway served notice it will maintain normal rail operations across Canada if the signal and communications employees deliver on the threat to strike.
“We have qualified people who can perform the key functions that are normally conducted by members of this union,” said CN’s Jim Feeny.
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers said the 644 workers in the CN local plan to begin a strike tomorrow at midnight if no agreement is reached to renew a contract that expired at the end of 2003.
The engineers and signal employees install, maintain and repair CN’s signals and communications systems.
For example, they ensure the operation of level-crossing barriers and allow the company to monitor all train locations.
The union has said a strike would at the least slow down CN’s operations. CN, however, said that “safety and service levels will be maintained to their usual standards. Employees represented by other unions will be expected to report for work as usual.”
Union president Kevin Kearns said the two sides were divided on standby provisions, quality of life issues, wages and benefits.