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 country害羞草研究所檚 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 害羞草研究所渕arathon nine-hour hearing害羞草研究所� before the Canada Industrial Relations Board, the union said.

害羞草研究所淭he union will lawfully abide by any decision from the CIRB, and is prepared to file challenges in Federal Court if necessary,害羞草研究所� the union said in a statement issued after Friday害羞草研究所檚 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.

MacKinnon害羞草研究所檚 directive said binding arbitration would produce a settlement to secure 害羞草研究所渋ndustrial peace害羞草研究所� and protect Canada害羞草研究所檚 trade relationships and sectors hit hard by the shutdown.

The board held meetings Thursday night and Friday, and has said it害羞草研究所檚 addressing the issue 害羞草研究所渨ith utmost urgency.害羞草研究所�

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.

害羞草研究所淭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,害羞草研究所� spokesman Jonathan Abecassis said in an interview Saturday.

CPKC害羞草研究所檚 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 minister害羞草研究所檚 referral was unconstitutional and would 害羞草研究所渄estroy collective bargaining rights.害羞草研究所�

Jordan Omstead, The Canadian Press