'One hit after another:' Prairie farmers worry CN Rail strike could cause massive grain shipping delays

A strike by thousands of Canadian National Railway workers will likely make a bad harvest even worse, warns the head of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association.

On Tuesday, roughly 3,200 conductors and yard workers went on strike across the country after talks between the company and workers fell apart.

Jim Wickett, a farmer near Rosetown, Sask., and chair of the wheat growers association, says even a brief stoppage in the rail system could create serious problems.

"It's going to have long-lasting effects," he said. "Any more than a few days, it's going to take months to sort this out."

The Canadian grain-handling system is complicated. Space on trains is very tight, and needs to be booked well in advance.

After it's transported by rail, large ships take the grain to overseas markets, which also run on tight timelines.

"Once a train spot is lost, it's not like he can just make it up," said Wickett. "Getting everything back up to speed after a shutdown doesn't just happen in one eight-hour shift."

On Monday, prior to the start of the strike, Saskatchewan's government ministers responsible for agriculture and resources sent a letter to the federal government, asking that it do everything in its power to intervene.

In the letter, the ministers said it was very important for Saskatchewan producers to deliver their products in a timely and predictable manner, and that a strike would get in the way of that happening.

Wickett said this year's harvest, complicated by wet weather and snow, will only be made worse by delays.

"It's been one hit after another this year," he said. "I don't know how much more the ag industry is going to take before it breaks." 

Striking workers

On Tuesday morning, dozens of workers took to picket lines across Saskatchewan on the first day of strike action.

"Some of the issues that we deal with on a daily basis are fatigue, ever-changing train lineups, long hours, up to 12-hour days, and the unpredictability of when we are going to be called for service," said Regina striker David Dobrowolski.

In Saskatoon, workers marched quickly in a tight circle in front of the CN Yard, blocking the entrance for semi-trailers trying to enter the facility Tuesday morning.

A long line of trucks developed, causing some drivers to turn around and leave.

The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference gave its required 72-hour strike notice this weekend.

A spokesperson for the union said they are still in talks with CN, in hopes of reaching a negotiated settlement.

Last week, the company confirmed it was cutting jobs as it deals with a weakening economy.

CN Rail's largest operations in Saskatchewan are at their rail yards in Saskatoon, Regina and Melville.