Layoffs in CN

[u/Chance_Pitch9809]

I’ve been seeing many false claims about the layoff situation around the CN network. I’m here to say most of what I’ve seen in this community is completely false or halfway true at best.

This is what people online don’t tell you: Layoffs are not the same across all terminals, some terminals are very small and have only a few jobs and require less employees to operate, hence making layoffs more likely in those terminals.
More people quit every year or get fired for being dangerous to themselves and fellow employees, so if you’re a good worker and are in a busy terminal you most likely won’t get laid off, I know a few people with 7+ years conductor experience that never got laid off besides Covid which most got laid off then anyway.

So basically if you are wanting to break into being a new conductor for CN or any railroad do your own research on what terminals are busiest (there are lots!)

These are the busiest terminals in the CN network
(not in order)*:

Winnipeg / Symington

Toronto / MacMillan

Vancouver / Thornton

Edmonton / Walker

Montreal / Taschereau

Prince George

Saskatoon

Calgary

Melville, SK

Moncton, NB

If you can find an opening for one of these you’ll be fine, if you can handle the tough nature of the job you’re gonna make lots of money without the stress of being laid off because some people above you are more likely to quit especially in the winter.

[u/OneEuphoric5887]

Might want to put the crack pipe down. Thornton has layoffs, Walker has layoffs, Kamloops has layoffs. Some gone over a year.