CN says Canadian labour board issues decision on essential services

MONTREAL , March 15, 2005 — CN said today that the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) has issued a decision responding to the Federal Labour Minister's referral regarding maintenance of essential services at CN in Canada .

As a result of the CIRB's decision, the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and CN can now avail themselves of the right to strike or lock-out, provided at least 72 hours' notice is given.

CN remains optimistic that it can secure new agreements with the TCRC and IBEW without labour disruption, and it is talking to the unions about dates to resume bargaining. The TCRC represents 1,750 locomotive engineers, and the IBEW 630 signals and communications employees.

CN is committed to reaching agreements with the TCRC and IBEW, but will maintain freight operations in the event of strikes or a lock-out.

Canadian National Railway Company spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key cities of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, St. Louis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America.

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