CN strike sparks recovery worries
A strike by Canadian National Railway Co. locomotive engineers threatens a nascent recovery in freight shipments.
Canada’s largest railway, which is seen as a barometer for the economy because the carrier hauls a wide range of goods, finally began to see signs of a turnaround in November.
But a strike that began Saturday by 1,700 engineers comes at a precarious time for farmers, manufacturers and other corporations dependent on CN to move cargo ranging from grain and chemicals to lumber and consumer products.
While the recession may be over for the broader economy, it continues to be a tough time for many companies, said Jean-Michel Laurin, a vice-president at the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.
“Everybody’s fighting for every dollar, and we don’t want to see any disruption in rail shipments,” Mr. Laurin said yesterday. “We need everything to be working well.”
