Dangerous precedent: Union reacts to board ordering rail employees back to work [Video]

After a bitter contract dispute shut down the country’s two major railways, the federal labour board ordered thousands of rail employees back to work on Saturday.

Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon asked to send the parties to binding arbitration while an agreement is hammered out between Canadian National, Canadian Pacific Kansas City and the Teamsters union representing thousands of their workers.

The board also ordered that no further labour stoppage, including a lockout or strike, can occur during the arbitration process. This means that the strike notice recently issued to CN by the Teamsters is now voided.

CN said it will comply with the order which also extends the current collective agreement until a new agreement is signed between the parties.

In a statement, the Teamsters union said it will “lawfully comply” with the board’s decision but it will also appeal the ruling to federal court.

“This decision by the CIRB sets a dangerous precedent,” Paul Boucher, president of the …