01:45 PM EDT, 06/07/2024 (MT Newswires) -- The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) said Friday Canadian National Railway (CNR.TO) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City ( CP ) dismissed a proposal to stagger talks with the companies by two weeks.

The move would have helped avoid simultaneous work stoppages at the railways, the TCRC argued.

"Staggering the negotiations is a sensible solution that would minimize disruptions and allow all parties to address their concerns in a more structured and productive manner," Paul Boucher, President of the TCRC, said. "CN and CPKC's rejection of this proposal is a clear indication of how little they care about the economy and the supply chain, as well as their unwillingness to negotiate."

The news comes after Canadian National Railway ( CNI ) said it formally offered the TCRC to enter into binding arbitration earlier this week.

The TCRC has rejected all offers put to them and has now rejected a voluntary arbitration process, the railway had claimed.

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