|
CN Strike spills over on Terminal Operations
We have this morning been
advised that most Cartage firms refuse crossing the picket lines
at CN terminals in Toronto and Montreal.
On the other hand we have received news that CN has obtained a
court injunction that prevents anyone from obstructing passage
of any person or vehicle at CN yards. The order limits the
maximum number of picketers to 15 and requires them to stay at
least 10 feet back from the entrances. The order applies to CN's
terminals in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Edmonton. In
Vancouver a convoy of 30 trucks will be crossing the picket line
this morning and it is expected that an injunction will also be
granted soonest.
These court orders may be well and fine, but hauliers for
international cargo still refuse violating the picket lines as
they are afraid of retributions and consequences after the
strike has ended. We understand that some cartage movements are
taking place at all terminals but apparently relate to domestic
cargo only.
Lastly, CN continues to operate trains according to their
contingency plans and apparently delays have so far been
comparatively minimal. The problem, however, lies at the
terminals which will gridlock in the near future unless hauliers
feel secure enough to cross the picket lines!
In addition to these strike woes, the following events are
impacting swift rail movements as well:
-
Snowstorm in the East
- Halifax and surrounding
areas have been designated as a 'State of Emergency' and a
curfew has been imposed under this statue between 11 pm to 7
am on Friday and Saturday nights. This means that train crews
and longshoremen were hampered in being able to report to
work. Also driving conditions were apparently atrocious. Snow
removal operations are continuing but more snow fell on
Saturday and further storm systems are forecast. More delays
will be inevitable. One carrier reports that there are some
30'000 feet of exports to be moved to the terminal in Halifax
with some 25'000 feet of imports grounded there. Ships have to
move, and it is questionable whether or not all exports will
meet ship's departure due to the severe weather conditions.
-
New derailment
- Apparently a derailment has taken place between Calgary and
Saskatoon causing additional transit delays of some 16 hours.
|
