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Yesterday, Canadian National Railway Co. and Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) officials resumed contract negotiations with a federal mediator in Montreal, six days after 5,000 CAW-represented shopcraft, clerical and intermodal yard workers began striking the railroad.

Union officials initiated the strike after they rejected tentative CN agreements reached last month and failed to negotiate new agreements. Previous contracts expired Dec. 31, 2003.

CN has been trying to maintain normal freight schedules by using management staff to perform the duties of striking workers. The Class I broke off contract talks last week.

But one CN customer has felt the strike's effects. Earlier this week, Ford Motor Co. of Canada sent home about 3,700 workers at three Ontario plants because parts became scarce and some strike-supporting union members declined to unload rail shipments.