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Yesterday, Canadian National Railway Co. and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) signed an agreement extending the date either party can issue a 72-hour strike or lock-out notice to May 12. TCRC represents 1,750 CN locomotive engineers.

"This additional period will give the parties time to schedule meaningful negotiations aimed at reaching an agreement," said TCRC President Gilles Hallé in a prepared statement.

Earlier this week, the Canada Industrial Relations Board determined CN can legally lock out engineers, and signals and communications (S&C) employees in Canada, and the TCRC and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (which represent those workers) have the right to issue a strike if either side provides at least 72 hours' notice.

During the past few months, the Class I has been negotiating contracts with the TCRC and electrical worker union, which represents 630 S&C workers. Although negotiations have stalled, the parties plan to resume bargaining talks.