Signals, communications employees at CN Rail on strike
More than 750 signal and communications employees at CN Rail are on strike as federal mediation has ended and no new negotiation dates are scheduled, the union says.
The union, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) – System Council No. 11, started bargaining last fall "with a proposal for reasonable benefit and wage increases along with amendments to existing work rules," it said in a news release this week.
Officials said the department is responsible for installing and maintaining railway crossings, train signals and train inspection equipment for CN Rail.
The strike began Saturday at 11 a.m. after giving the company the required 72-hour notice.
Want more northern Ontario news? Download the free CTV News app
CN Rail said it "has negotiated with the union in good faith and will continue to do so. The company has also offered to resolve the remaining differences, which are predominantly on wages and benefits, through binding arbitration."
"The union proposal has held firm even though the proposal has been outpaced by an unprecedented rate of inflation. The increases allowed for a balanced increase over each year of the contract that would keep pace with other CN bargaining units and the rest of the industry. The company has flatly rejected this common-sense approach to bargaining," IBEW said.
"These workers were deemed essential workers and worked tirelessly through the COVID-19 pandemic without any additional benefits."
Starting Monday, picket lines will be set up in the Greater Sudbury community of Capreol and on Tuesday in Sudbury.
An operational contingency plan will be implemented to continue a "normal level of continued safe operations as long as required," CN added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.