Canadian union says rail strike could start August 22 if no deal is reached | The Mighty 790 KFGO

OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canada’s Teamsters union, which is currently negotiating a contract with the country’s two largest railway companies, said on Friday a work stoppage could take place from Aug. 22 if no agreement is reached.

“The Teamsters will provide 72 hours notice in the event of a strike,” the statement said.

The union, Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City agreed last week to restart stalled contract negotiations with the help of a federal mediator.

Canada is heavily dependent on its extensive rail network, given its vast geography and exports of grain, potash and coal, among other commodities. A strike could cause significant economic damage.

In May, the federal government decided to postpone a possible strike by asking the country’s labor council to investigate whether a strike could have safety implications.

The board announced Friday that a strike would not pose an immediate or serious threat to public health, formally authorizing the union to set a strike date.

In response, Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon said in a social media post that “it is the responsibility of unions and employers to negotiate deals at the bargaining table” and called on both sides to keep talking.

(Reporting by David LjunggrenEditing by Chris Reese, Frances Kerry and David Gregorio)