Approximately 240 workers at a vehicle processing facility in Eastern Passage, N.S., have initiated a strike after negotiations between the union and the company failed to reach an agreement. The strike was triggered after the union members rejected a tentative agreement earlier this month and provided a notice to strike on Friday.

Autoport, a subsidiary of CN, processes and ships close to 185,000 vehicles annually, according to the union. In response to the strike, Autoport enacted its contingency plan at its Eastern Passage facility to protect the continuity of the supply chain. Activities will continue uninterrupted as long as necessary according to the port authority.

Negotiations between the union and Autoport began in September and were ongoing up until the strike deadline. The workers at the facility earn between $22.30 and $33.06 an hour after probation, according to a collective bargaining agreement that expired in December 2023.

The use of replacement labor by Autoport has been criticized by the union, with concerns raised about the potential prolongation of disputes and the difficulty of reaching a deal. Despite the outcome, the union remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the rights and fair treatment of its members.

The planned use of replacement labor has highlighted the need for the federal government to pass legislation on the issue, according to the union. This strike at Autoport’s Eastern Passage facility is expected to have significant implications for the local economy and the Canadian automotive industry as a whole.

Via release