Thousands of CN employees on strike after failed contract discussions

CN workers hit the picket lines on Tuesday in Belleville, seeking better working conditions. Photo by Kyle Ellington, QNet News

By Thomas Goyer

BELLEVILLE – Thousands of Canadian National Railway workers walked off the job Tuesday after the Teamsters union representing the workers failed to reach an agreement.

The strike affects conductors, yard workers and other trainpersons working in industrial rail. It does not impact passenger travel.

On Wednesday afternoon, a crowd of 15 striking workers were picketing alongside rail tracks on Airport Parkway in Belleville. None of the workers would speak to QNet News.

The major focus of the strike is improving what the union describes as dangerous conditions such as excessive work hours.

Many are concerned about the impact the strike will have on many industries in Canada including grain and chemical producers.

Just last week CN announced that it would be laying some workers off, citing a weakened economy.

The federal government has not announced if they will introduce back-to-work legislation.