The shutdown that briefly stalled billions in freight by the two largest Canadian railroads could take a week or more to recover fully. Though the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City unionized workforce returned to work Monday, and train movements were halted for less than 24 hours, CN and CPKC had embargoed shipments for more than a week leading up to the lockout deadline.

Halted train operations interrupted supply chains and intermodal container flows into and out of ports were halted. Logistics services providers reported that they were working with customers to avoid potential disruptions from recent longshore labor disputes fresh in mind.

Canada Industrial Relations Board affirmed an order by Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon ending a lockout by the carriers and ordering binding arbitration to resolve the contract standoff with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.

Please note that the Canadian rail strike threat remains in place until the contracts between Canada’s two main railroads and the TCRC are reached.

John S. Connor will continue to monitor the possible resumption of work stoppages at the Canadian railroads if new contracts are not reached.