ACD Press Release

ACD Joins Responsible Distribution Canada in Letter Urging Canadian Federal Intervention to Avoid Rail Labor Strike

Potential Strike Poses Significant Threat to Public Safety of Americans and Canadians

Arlington, VA –Yesterday, Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) joined Responsible Distribution Canada (RDC) in a letter to Canadian Minister of Labor Steven MacKinnon urging the use of that office’s authority to help resolve a potential labor strike by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.

In the letter, ACD President and CEO Eric R. Byer and RDC President Catherine Wieckowska underscored the significant consequences that a potential rail strike would have on the safe delivery of critical chemicals to the U.S. and Canada.

“If this strike is allowed to take place, potentially occurring as early as August 22, a myriad of hazardous materials, such as chlorine, that are necessary for the well-being of Canadian and American citizens will be severely delayed or not shipped at all.”

Byer and Wieckowska also highlighted the reality of the lack of chemical backstock that countless municipalities rely on for clean drinking water.

“[M]any ACD and RDC member companies serve as intermediaries for municipalities, receiving rail shipments of chlorine and other water treatment chemicals and then shipping them to the end-users. The Canada Industrial Relations Board’s assumption that municipalities have weeks of additional stock of their chemicals at intermediary facilities is not accurate.”

Byer and Wieckowska concluded, “ACD and RDC respectfully request that you use your authority under section 107 of the Canada Labour Code and order a binding arbitration to resolve the labour dispute occurring between the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, and Canadian National Railway. This step is necessary to prevent shortages of critical chemicals across Canada and the United States that are necessary to provide citizens with water treatment.”

To read the full letter, click here.

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The Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) partners with our more than 400 chemical distribution industry members to provide the education, connection, standards, and advocacy they need to responsibly move the essential products our world depends on. As leaders in the $27B+ chemical distribution industry, ACD member companies commit to the highest standards in quality, safety, sustainability, and performance through ACD Responsible Distribution^TM. For more information, visit www.acd-chem.com.