MONTREAL, (Feb. 24, 2004) — Ford of Canada is blaming the ongoing strike at Canadian National Railway for its decision to send home 1,450 workers earlier this week, despite previous assurances from the railway that operations were slow, but not hampered.

Ford spokeswoman Lauren More told Canadian Press that 1,200 day-shift workers at a car assembly plant in St. Thomas, Ont., were sent home, as well 250 employees on one assembly line at an engine plant in Windsor.

There were also reports by the Canadian Auto Workers union that other vehicle OEMs were scrambling to shift more shipments from train to truck in order to keep the time-sensitive freight moving quickly.

CN’s reiterated that operations are at “near normal” as the strike of 5,000 CN technicians, clerical staff and intermodal yard workers moved into its fourth day yesterday. CN is using management personnel to keep freight moving across the country. The company said court orders restricting picketing at entrances to CN’s four main intermodal yards in Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Brampton, Ont. are ensuring that truck traffic flows in and out smoothly.

But the CAW says there are delays all over Canada — especially at intermodal yards — and the situation will only worsen the longer union staff stays off the job, the union said.

Earlier this week, CAW members rejected tentative deals the union and CN agreed on back in January, and set a strike deadline after 36 hours in talks broke off with “no agreement in sight.” The workers had been offered a three-year deal with annual wage increases of three per cent. The main issues still involve salary, but also working conditions, and disciplinary procedures, the CAW said.

— from Canadian Press