Nearly 10,000 workers at Canada's two main railroads, the CN and CPKC, have voted in favour of strikes if negotiated settlements cannot be reached.

According to the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC), 98.6% of overall workers called to reauthorize a strike, with an 89.5% turnout.

The TCRC adds that conductors, locomotive engineers, and yard workers at CN have voted 98.4% for a strike.

At CPKC, conductors, locomotive engineers, and yard workers have voted 99.2% to strike, while 95.7% of the company's rail traffic controllers have voted for a strike.

"With this renewed strike mandate, we intend to go back to the bargaining table, work with federal mediators, and do everything in our power to reach a fair deal for our members and protect all Canadians," said Paul Boucher, President, TCRC.

Despite this development, no strike dates have been announced.

Negotiations background

Amid labour shortages, CN and CPKC are negotiating with workers, demanding concessions around work schedules and fatigue management.

CPKC aims to remove fatigue provisions, potentially increasing work hours and accident risks. CN proposes a forced relocation scheme to address labour shortages.

Both approaches have been criticized for compromising safety and disrupting families.