CN to keep trains rolling during planned Canadian conductors' strike

CN is activating its strike contingency plan to maintain freight operations across Canada after the United Transportation Union (UTU) notified the company yesterday that it plans to strike CN's Canadian rail operations at 0001 hours Feb. 10, 2007.

E. Hunter Harrison, president and chief executive officer of CN, said: "CN and the UTU remain in negotiations, and we believe there is time to reach agreement on a new collective agreement before the strike deadline.

"But let me be clear - we will continue freight operations across Canada during a UTU strike, with management personnel performing UTU-represented jobs, and provide the best possible service in the circumstances. This plan is essential to our customers and the Canadian economy."

The UTU represents approximately 2,800 CN conductors and yard-service employees in Canada.

A UTU strike will not affect other unionized employees in Canada.

CN and the UTU have agreed, during a conductors' strike, to maintain normal commuter rail operations on CN rail lines in Toronto and Montreal.

Excluded strike action are UTU members employed on CN's Northern Quebec Internal Short Line, Algoma Central Railway in Ontario, and Mackenzie Northern Railway in Alberta.