Conrad Black on Preventing Rail Strike

As a potential railway strike looms in the coming days, historical precedents from both Canada and the United States indicate that such disruptions cannot be allowed to persist for long. The railway industry has a storied history of strikes, with significant events dating back to the first American railroad strike in 1877, which resulted in violence and numerous fatalities. The federal government has historically intervened in these disputes, recognizing the critical nature of rail transport to the economy. The Pullman Strike of 1894 serves as a notable example, where President Woodrow Wilson intervened to end the strike, leading to the establishment of the Railway Labor Board and the implementation of the eight-hour workday for railway employees. This intervention was driven by a bipartisan consensus that prolonged strikes could have devastating effects on the nation. Subsequent strikes, including those in the post-World War II era, further demonstrated the federal government's willingness to act decisively in labor disputes. In light of this history, experts suggest that if a railway strike occurs, the federal government must act swiftly to legislate an end to the disruption while ensuring a fair resolution process for the workers involved. The actions taken by Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent’s government in 1949, which resolved a similar crisis within days, could serve as a model for current policymakers. The economic implications of a prolonged strike underscore the urgency for government intervention.