October 23, 2024 — Following the August 23 order from the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) imposing binding arbitration between CN and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, both parties have recently agreed on an arbitrator to determine the terms of the next collective agreement.
Mediation meetings will occur over seven days in March 2025. If a mediated settlement is not reached during those seven days, arbitration will be scheduled to take place in April. As per the protocol negotiated between the parties, the arbitrator will have sixty days to rule. In view of the foregoing, a decision is expected before the end of Q2.
The CIRB has also directed that the current collective agreement remains in place until there is a new agreement, meaning no strike or lockout can occur.