A work stoppage at CP Rail that began on March 20 comes at a turbulent time when strained supply chains, high fuel prices, and the war in Ukraine are putting increasing pressure on the Canadian and world economies. CP and the union Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) failed to reach a deal under federally-mediated negotiations before the March 20 deadline, after which both sides said they would initiate a work stoppage. “Shortly before the lockout was announced, the Teamsters Union expressed its desire to continue bargaining,” said TCRC in a March 19 statement. “Unfortunately, the employer chose to put the Canadian supply chain and tens of thousands of jobs at risk.” Dave Fulton, TCRC spokesperson at the bargaining table said in the statement the union is “very disappointed with this turn of events.” “Canadian Pacific management must be taken to task for this situation,” he said. “They set the deadline …