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Canada's CPKC expands freight embargoes ahead of looming work stoppage

Canadian Pacific Kansas City stated on Saturday it would halt any new rail shipments coming from Canada, and all brand-new U.S. deliveries predestined for Canada starting on Tuesday if talks with its Canadian labour union fail to progress.

North American industry groups and carriers are bracing for an unprecedented simultaneous stoppage at both of Canada's primary train companies that might disrupt the motion of products such as coal, potash, crude oil and grains, and made items varying from cars and trucks to chemicals.

The Teamsters union's talks with Canadian National Train and CPKC have actually deadlocked, and the rail business say they will start locking out workers on Aug. 22 if they can not. reach a labour deal. The union states it is all set to call a strike. for that date.

In an update on Saturday, CPKC stated it was taking sensible. steps to prepare for a potential rail service interruption next. week. It said bargaining talks are scheduled to advance. Sunday.

Earlier this week, CPKC had actually already started to halt any new. deliveries of dangerous chemicals or dangerous products.

Independently, CN Rail stated on Friday there has been no. meaningful development at the bargaining table, and added that it. had actually likewise begun a phased and progressive shutdown of its network.

CN Rail stated this will culminate in a lockout, unless a deal. is reached, or binding arbitration is imposed.

Earlier today, Canada's Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon. rejected an appeal from CN Rail to initiate binding arbitration. in between the two sides, and contacted the company and the unions. to negotiate in great faith.

Market groups alert that a synchronised work interruptions at. both rail companies could inflict billions of dollars' worth of. financial damage.

It might also impact trade with both the U.S. and Mexico. The CN and CPKC networks link crucial U.S. rail and shipping centers. such as Chicago, New Orleans, Minneapolis and Memphis. CPKC's. network also extends additional south to ports on Mexico's east and. west coasts.

(source: Reuters)