Arbitrator awards 3% raises for CN employees represented by TCRC

Canadian National train service employees represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference will get a 3% annual raise under an arbitrator’s contract decision.

Arbitrator William Kaplan released his decision Monday on the three-year contract, which runs from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2026.

When CN (NYSE: CNI) and the TCRC were unable to reach a negotiated settlement during their contract talks, the Canada Industrial Relations Board sent the matter to binding arbitration in August 2024...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/arbitrator-awards-3-raises-for-cn-employees-represented-by-tcrc

New US tariffs hit railroad stocks in early trading

Railroad stocks tumbled Thursday in response to the Trump administration’s Wednesday announcement of widespread tariffs on U.S. trading partners.

It was an indication that investors believe the tariffs will raise prices and have a negative impact on consumer spending, which in turn will reduce demand for the raw materials and finished products that railroads carry.

As U.S. stock markets opened on Thursday, the S&P 500 was down nearly 4%. CSX (NASDAQ: CSX) and Union Pacific (NASDAQ: UNP) stock...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/new-us-tariffs-hit-railroad-stocks-in-early-trading

Canadian National finalizes acquisition of Iowa Northern

MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway and Iowa Northern Railway have officially joined operations, CN said Monday.

“This additional investment in the United States underscores our dedication to delivering outstanding rail service while driving economic growth,” CN CEO Tracy Robinson said in a press release. “CN customers and partners along this network will benefit from single-line service offering new options and access to new markets.”

Said Derek Taylor, CN’s chief field operating officer, “Both...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/canadian-national-finalizes-acquisition-of-iowa-northern

Servicio local sigue siendo un punto de conflicto para los ferrocarriles de clase I

En el primer trimestre de 2025, los ferrocarriles de Clase I en América del Norte están demostrando hasta ahora niveles variados de rendimiento del servicio, según nuevas métricas ordenadas por la Junta de Transporte de Surface. El STB ahora requiere que los ferrocarriles de carga importantes...

https://fullavantenews.com/servicio-local-sigue-siendo-un-punto-de-conflicto-para-los-ferrocarriles-de-clase-i/?lang=es

Local service still a sticking point for Class I railroads

In the first quarter of 2025, Class I railroads in North America are so far demonstrating varied levels of service performance, according to new metrics mandated by the Surface Transportation Board. The STB now requires major freight railroads to report additional data on on-time percentages, train speeds and terminal dwell times in an effort to increase transparency and accountability.

The new STB metrics, which began being collected in September 2024, establish baseline standards for on-time...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/local-service-still-a-sticking-point-for-class-i-railroads

Top US-Canada supply chain stories of 2024

In 2024, the Canadian commercial transportation industry witnessed everything from one of the largest trucking bankruptcies in the country’s history to work stoppages at ports to Trump’s tariff threats.

With 2024 coming to an end, FreightWaves has compiled the five biggest stories that shaped the Canadian transportation industry this year.

Pride Group files for bankruptcy protection

In March, the Pride Group filed for creditor protection in Canada, making it one of the biggest trucking companies...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/top-us-canada-supply-chain-stories-of-2024

Unifor ratifies new deals with CN

Members of Canadian union Unifor have ratified new four-year agreements with Canadian National Railway, the union and railroad have announced.

The Montreal-based railroad said the agreements were ratified on Sunday and cover approximately 3,300 workers in mechanical, clerical and intermodal positions. The union did not announce any details on the ratification vote.

“We are pleased to have achieved these new collective agreements through collaborative negotiations,” CN Chief Executive Tracy...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/unifor-ratifies-new-deals-with-cn

Analysis: Canada rail stoppage post-mortem

The good news: Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City trains are rolling just days after a work stoppage for the first time shut down most of the country’s rail network.

The restart of operations on the two largest railroads came after the Canada Industrial Relations Board on Saturday backed an order by Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon ending the lockout and sending the contract dispute between the railroads and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference to binding arbitration.  

The...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/analysis-canada-rail-stoppage-post-mortem

Canada railroads look to restart as union returns to work

It could take the two largest Canadian railroads a week or more to recover from the effects of a shutdown that briefly stalled billions in freight including transborder trade with the United States.

Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City saw most of their  unionized workforce go back to work Monday, days after the Canadian Industrial Relations Board affirmed an order by Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon ending a lockout by the carriers and ordering binding arbitration to resolve the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/canada-railroads-look-to-restart-as-union-returns-to-work