CN Rail workers could be walking off the job this weekend, after contract talks have failed.
Following two days of discussions with no progress, CN Rail says 3,000 conductors and yard workers have served strike notice.
They will walk off the job on Saturday if nothing is resolved.
The strike threat comes at a time when unusually cold temperatures have affected shipment delivery and slowed traffic.
The Alberta Barley Commission says that a strike would have a catastrophic impact on farmers across the country.
Chairman Matt Sawyer says railways are already months behind trying to handle transporting a record harvest from 2013.
A disruption at CN Rail would leave farmers with no alternative to ship their crop. According to Alberta Barley, nine out of 10 farms are dependent on exports.
"Canadian farmers need to know the railways are doing everything in their power to ensure our industry's commitments to our current buyers are being met. This is the only way we'll be able to maintain domestic and international markets for Alberta barley," Sawyer said in a release.
A tentative labour contract was reached a few days ago, but union members rejected the deal.
Both sides in the dispute are expected back at the bargaining table on Wednesday along with a federal mediator.
