The future of an unprecedented Canada railway stoppage hinged on a decision expected Saturday from a federal labour board amid an ongoing, bitter contract dispute between the countryB次元官网网址檚 two largest railway companies and the Teamsters union representing thousands of their workers.

Teamsters, Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City were all waiting on a decision after a B次元官网网址渕arathon nine-hour hearingB次元官网网址� before the Canada Industrial Relations Board, the union said.

B次元官网网址淭he union will lawfully abide by any decision from the CIRB, and is prepared to file challenges in Federal Court if necessary,B次元官网网址� the union said in a statement issued after FridayB次元官网网址檚 hearing.

Freight shipments and some major commuter lines across Canada came to a standstill on Thursday when CN and CPKC locked out workers after months of increasingly acrimonious contract talks failed to yield a deal. It marked the first time there were simultaneous work stoppages at the railways.

Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon stepped in later that day, asking the labour board to send the parties to binding arbitration and to force workers back on the job while an agreement is hammered out.

MacKinnonB次元官网网址檚 directive said binding arbitration would produce a settlement to secure B次元官网网址渋ndustrial peaceB次元官网网址� and protect CanadaB次元官网网址檚 trade relationships and sectors hit hard by the shutdown.

The board held meetings Thursday night and Friday, and has said itB次元官网网址檚 addressing the issue B次元官网网址渨ith utmost urgency.B次元官网网址�

CPKC workers went on strike at the same time a lockout came into effect early Thursday morning. While CN lifted its lock out on Thursday, workers there could strike as early as Monday after Teamsters issued a 72-hour notice on Friday.

CN said service had resumed across Canada Friday morning and no major issues had yet been reported.

B次元官网网址淭he ramp up is continuing. We are focused on powering the economy and we call on the union to do the same and not take the Canadian economy hostage,B次元官网网址� spokesman Jonathan Abecassis said in an interview Saturday.

CPKCB次元官网网址檚 operations remained shut down as of Friday.

The Teamsters say both companies are attempting to weaken protections around rest periods, shift length and scheduling, jeopardizing worker safety. CN also has a plan to move some employees to far-flung locations for several months at a time to fill labour gaps, the union says.

The Teamsters have said the labour ministerB次元官网网址檚 referral was unconstitutional and would B次元官网网址渄estroy collective bargaining rights.B次元官网网址�

Jordan Omstead, The Canadian Press