The Financial Post reports in its Wednesday, Feb. 21, edition that the union representing 9,300 workers at Canada's two biggest railways says public safety is at stake after contract negotiations ground to a halt this month, with a potential strike on the horizon. A Canadian Press dispatch to the Post reports that Teamsters Canada president Francois Laporte said demands by Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City are "non-negotiable." He said in a press release on Monday: "CN and CPKC aim to eliminate all safety-critical rest provisions from our collective agreements. These provisions are necessary to combat crew fatigue and ensure public safety. ... We want to reach a negotiated settlement, but their demands are non-starters for the teamsters." As a result, a "work stoppage looms," the union said. CN and CPKC asked the federal labour minister Friday to appoint a conciliator for the bargaining process over a new collective agreement for train conductors, engineers and yard workers. The notice of dispute starts the clock on a possible strike or lockout, which could occur as soon as 81 days after the request, in early May.