Rail workers, their union and their employers are all awaiting a decision today from the Canada Industrial Relations Board on the next step in the labour dispute that led to a total shutdown of rail services across the country this week.

On Thursday, the federal government asked the council to initiate binding arbitration in the dispute between Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd., Canadian National Railway Co. and their employees.

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The government has also asked the administration to force them to return to work while an agreement is reached.

The council convened the parties for a meeting Thursday night and held a hearing Friday. The council said it was addressing the issue “with the utmost urgency.”

However, the Teamsters union has issued a 72-hour strike notice against CN, even as the railroad resumed trains on Friday morning.

Meanwhile, the union at CPKC has challenged the government’s directive for binding arbitration and the railway company’s operations were still at a standstill on Friday.