Thousands of railway workers in Canada at Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) have voted overwhelmingly to strike as early as May 22, the union said on Wednesday.

May 22 is the strike or lockout deadline for about 9,300 rail workers, who operate trains and direct traffic at Canadian National Railway Co. and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd.

Rail workers demanding more rest time moved closer to a strike that would disrupt supply chains from Halifax to Vancouver and down through the US Midwest to the Gulf of Mexico.

Rail workers demanding more rest time moved closer to a strike that would disrupt supply chains from Halifax to Vancouver and down through the Midwest to the Gulf of Mexico. A union representing more than 9 000 employees at Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City said workers overwhelmingly voted in favor of job action to push the companies to include provisions to combat crew fatigue in their collective agreements.

Employees at Canada’s two biggest railways have authorized a strike to back contract demands that could see thousands of workers walk off the job in three weeks if they are unable to reach new deals.

OTTAWA–The union representing over 9,000 workers at Canada’s two biggest railroads said nearly all of its members voted in favor of going on strike as early as May 22, which could cause extensive disruptions across North American logistics networks.