Canada introduces legislation to end rail strike affecting more than 3,000 Teamsters

Canada's Conservative government has introduced legislation to force an end to a strike at Canadian Pacific Railway by more than 3,000 Teamsters members.

The strike by locomotive engineers and other train workers began late Saturday after contract talks failed.

The government says the rail strike poses a threat to the economy.

Teamsters union president Douglas Finnson calls the government's intervention disappointing and premature. CP Rail supports the move.

No new contract talks are scheduled.

In 2012, the government passed legislation to force an end to a nine-day railway strike. It was estimated then that a prolonged strike would cost the economy $540 million a week and halt shipments of grain, fertilizer, coal, cars and other goods.