RE:QNS&L locomotive engineers are not in steelworkers unions!Goldengreen - I agree that UTU locomotive engineers not involved in any strike action. But there is more involved in QNS&L raiway operations than just the train drivers.
Have a read of this:
https://cpcml.ca/WF2018/PDF/WO0512.pdf
The key paragraph is this:
The Sept-les workers will only be in a legal strike position on April 10 because their work is done in both Quebec and Newfoundland-and-Labrador and as such, they are subject to the Canada Labour Code which has its own rules and deadlines. There is also the question of essential services to be settled, because the railway on which the Sept-les steelworkers' work also serves the local population.
................................................................
The QNS&L railway, as the name suggests, runs through Quebec to Labrador city where IOC have their mine operations.
USW Local 9344 are involved in QNS&L operations all the way from Sept-Iles port all the way to Labrador City. If their role was only on the spur from Arnaud Junction to Sept-Iles port then they would only be working in Quebec & therefore would not fall under Federal jurisdiction (Canada Industrial Relations Board).
My guess is that the CIRB will allow USW local 9344 to strike as long as 'essential services' are maintained on the QNS&L. Essential services means servicing the local population in Labrador & Schefferville etc... with freight & a passenger service. I don't believe that IOC's iron ore transportation contract with CIA would come under the definition of 'essential'.
Meanwhile I agree that CIA's ore is still heading to Pointe Noire & being stockpiled there. Surely another ship could dock in early May?
.