The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday edition that Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon has rejected Canadian National Railway's request for binding arbitration. A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that CN has threatened to lock out employees on Aug. 22 if an agreement with the union is not reached. The union, representing 9,300 workers, is simultaneously holding labour talks with Canadian Pacific Kansas City. The union insists that the rail companies withdraw their demands for concessions. Meanwhile, CN says the union needs to engage meaningfully at the bargaining table and that the union has rejected four contract offers this year without proposing a counter offer. Both CN and CPKC have begun halting shipments of certain goods, including hazardous materials, to ensure they do not become stranded on the tracks in the event of a work stoppage. On Thursday, Nutrien, the world's largest potash producer, said it was concerned that the impending rail stoppage would hurt its ability to ship products. It said, "Nutrien relies on reliable rail service and we are concerned that labour action would impact the ability to move our products, which consequently may negatively impact farmers and food security around the globe."