CN and CPKC strike: Nutrien urges resolution as Canada rail workers cleared to walk off the job [Video]

A federal labour tribunal has deemed rail workers non-essential, opening the door to a strike in under two weeks that could bring Canada’s supply chain screeching to a halt.

In a pair of rulings Friday, the Canada Industrial Relations Board said a work stoppage would pose no “serious danger” to public health or safety, despite concerns around food security, fuel supply and water treatment.

The decision means a May strike vote from the Teamster, which represents workers at both the Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City, could be put into action with workers walking off the job as early as Aug. 22.

Consequently, in the event of a work stoppage, employees of the two main railways would not be compelled to continue hauling goods, including key commodities such as chlorine for water and propane for care centres.

In a statement to CTV News on Tuesday, Saskatchewan-based global potash …