Saskatchewan farm leaders are hoping to avoid a strike or lock-out at CP Rail this weekend. CP Rail has issued lockout notice to 3 thousand unionized workers, in a contract dispute over wages and pension, effective Sunday.

SARM president Ray Orb says railways are critical to bring in livestock feed following last year’s drought.

“It will affect not only livelihood of farmers but the lives of their cattle, their livestock, so this is becoming, it’s more like an emergency now I think.   And so we’re hoping federal government can take this into consideration in forcing the railroad to come back to work as soon as possible.”

Lockout Notice Issued by CP Rail

Premier Scott Moe wants Ottawa to declare the railways an essential service and avoid any interruption in service.

Last year’s extensive drought has forced cattle feeders to import as much as 80 percent of their feed requirements in the form of corn, anywhere between 80 and 100-thousand tonnes a week.

All of it comes on CP Rail lines and CP issued a 72 hour lockout notice to its 3000 conductors, yards persons and other employees. The work stoppage will begin early Sunday morning, if an agreement is not reached by then.

(with files from CKRM)