CN launches post-strike recovery plan

CN last week announced it was implementing a recovery plan following the end of an eight-day strike.

The strike — which involved more than 3,000 CN conductors and rail-yard workers — caused CN's network to run at about 10 percent of capacity, company officials said in a press release.

Every strike day can cause several days of backlog, requiring time for the network to return to its pre-strike operation levels, they said.

"CN remains focused on growth and is already in recovery mode as our employees return to their normal shifts,” said JJ Ruest, CN's president and chief executive officer. “Overriding emphasis will be placed on safety as we implement a disciplined and progressive ramp up to avoid congestion that can overwhelm parts of the supply chain that are the most vulnerable.”

As it initiates the recovery plan, the railroad will remain in direct contact with customers to collect feedback on the progress, CN officials said.

Last week, CN and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference announced they had reached a tentative contract agreement, ending the strike.