OTTAWA,
ON, Aug. 9, 2024 /CNW/ - Canadian Manufactuers
& Exporters (CME) are calling for emergency meetings of the
House of Commons Standing Committee on Transportation following
today's Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) decision regarding
a potential railway work stoppage.
The CIRB decision has cleared the way for a Canada-wide rail strike to happen as soon as
August 22. A national rail stoppage
of any length will have a castasrophic impact on Canadian
manufacturers and their workers.
CME has previously called on the federal government to take
immediate and decisive action to prevent a rail stoppage. During
the current 10-day cooling off period that has been mandated
by the CIRB through today's decision, we are now asking for the
House of Commons Standing Commitee on Transportation to convene for
emergency hearings next week to study the impacts that a stoppage
will have on Canadian companies and their workers, commuters and
the broader economy.
This is the most important issue facing the Canadian economy and
it is essential that all Members of Parliament hear directly from
employers about the supply chain chaos and economic costs that a
nationwide rail stoppage will impose on our country.
BY THE NUMBERS
A recent CME survey of 226 manufacturers revealed the
destructive impacts that a nationwide rail stoppage will have on
Canada's industrial economy:
- 66% of manufacturers said a strike will have severe
consequences on their operations.
- 92% of manufacturers expect delivery delays, 76%
expect to face increased costs, 57% expect reduced sales and
49% say it will reduce competitiveness.
- Manufacturers would incur an average financial impact of
$275,000 each day of a
stoppage (combined decreases in revenues and increases in
expenses).
- 77% of manufacturers believe these labour stoppages have
negatively influenced foreign investors' views of Canada.
- 88% of manufacturers support federal government
intervention to prevent strikes at critical infrastructure sites,
including railways.
ABOUT CANADIAN MANUFACTURERS & EXPORTERS (CME)
From the first industrial boom in Canada, CME has advocated for and represented
member interests. 150 years strong, CME has earned an extensive and
effective track record of working for and with 2,500 leading
companies nationwide. More than 85 per cent of CME's members are
SMEs and collectively account for an estimated 82 per cent of total
manufacturing production and 90 per cent of Canada's exports.
SOURCE Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters