THUNDER BAY — The Thunder Bay Port Authority is adopting a wait-and-see attitude after CN Rail workers hit the picket lines in the city and across Canada on Tuesday morning.
The union representing about 3,200 conductors, trainpersons and yardworkers says they are concerned about long hours, fatigue and what they consider to be dangerous working conditions.
Tim Heney, CEO of the port authority, said only about 20 per cent of shipments to Thunder Bay's grain terminals are carried on CN trains.
The bulk of the shipments come on CP trains, meaning Thunder Bay won't be affected as much as other locations.
"It depends how long it lasts. Traditionally, rail strikes have ended fairly quickly, being legislated back to work," Heney noted.
He said the strike will have a more severe impact on ports such as Prince Rupert and Halifax, which are only served by CN.
"It's not going to be devastating but it will definitely have an impact on Thunder Bay if the strike is extended," Heney said.
He added that with harvesting completed on the prairies, this is a busy time for grain shipments.
About 23 members of the Teamsters Canada Railway Conference are on strike in Thunder Bay.
On the picket line at CN's Neebing yard on Broadway Avenue, union spokesperson Jared Tucker said "We'd all rather be working. But we all have to stand together and do what we have to do to get a fair contract."
Tucker said the dispute is more about quality of life than about monetary issues.
"We want to be able to spend more time with our families," he said.
The Western Grain Elevator Association has expressed concern about the strike, saying that a day of shipping that's lost can never be recovered.
CN services about half the elevators in western Canada.
Talks are continuing to try to bring a quick end to the railway strike.
Federal Labour Minister Patty Hajdu, the MP for Thunder Bay-Superior North, issued a statement urging both parties to continue their negotiations.
"The government of canada supports and has faith in the collective bargaining process," she said.
