More than 3,000 CP Rail track maintenance workers are poised to go on strike early Wednesday across the country. 

The strike countdown began on the weekend after talks broke off on wages and other issues and the union issued the required 72-hours notice. The strike can legally begin at midnight MT (2 a.m. ET).

CP Rail is the second-largest freight-hauling railway in Canada, after CN.
(Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

CP says only 1,200 of the 3,200 union members actually perform day-to-day track maintenance duties and it has trained managers to step in to keep Canada's second-largest freight railway running.

The union doubted the managers would be able to keep up.

"What reasonable company in the world has 1,200 managers whose jobs are so inconsequential that they can just pick up and jump out to the track when there's a strike?" said William Brehl, an official with Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.

CP says it is offering the workers 10 per cent over three years; the union is asking for 13 per cent over that period, the company says.

The federal government said Tuesday it could intervene in the dispute.

"If, ultimately, the economic health of the country is seriously threatened, of course it's our responsibility to act," Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn said. He was not more specific.    

A two-week strike in February at CN Rail caused a noticeable drop in export shipments by rail and led many companies to complain of parts and supply shortages. Ford of Canada had to briefly shut its assembly plant in St. Thomas, Ont.

Analysts say a CP strike would not likely have the same impact as the CN strike did because the CP dispute does not involve workers who actually operate trains. 

CP shares rose on Tuesday, gaining 49 cents to close at $73.92.

with CP files