Canadian labour board reviewing essential service implications of poss

    Business Editors

    MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2005--

    CN optimistic about settlements with three unions

    CN (NYSE:CNI) (TSX:CNR) said today the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) has been asked by the Canadian government to determine whether specific rail services should be maintained in Canada in the event of strikes or lockouts involving three of the company's unions.

    During the CIRB determination process, CN will continue to bargain in Canada with the United Transportation Union (UTU), representing 2,520 brakemen and conductors; the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC), which represents 1,750 locomotive engineers; and the 630-member International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). The company remains optimistic settlements can be reached without labour disruption.

    CN is cooperating fully with the CIRB, whose essential services review was requested by the Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour.

    Until the CIRB renders its decision on essential services, any right to strike or lockout is suspended. After the board's determination, at least 72 hours' strike or lockout notice would be required prior to any legal strike or lockout.

    Canadian National Railway Company spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key cities of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, St. Louis, and Jackson, Miss., with connections to all points in North America.

    www.cn.ca

--30--JS/na*

CONTACT: CN Mark Hallman (Media) System Director, Media Relations (905) 669-3384 OR CN Robert Noorigian (Investment Community) Vice-President, Investor Relations (514) 399-0052

KEYWORD: WISCONSIN MISSOURI MISSISSIPPI ALABAMA MINNESOTA MICHIGAN TENNESSEE LOUISIANA ILLINOIS NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TRANSPORTATION SOURCE: Canadian National Railway Company

Copyright Business Wire 2005