Unions representing Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway workers intend to strike Tuesday evening unless a settlement can be agreed upon in the next 32 hours.
Members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) voted to reject CP’s latest offer. Formal strike notice was issued on Saturday.
Both unions are prepared to strike Tuesday, May 29 at 7:00 p.m.
“CP has continually changed directions during negotiations with little evidence that a settlement was ever possible. We have given CP every reasonable opportunity to negotiate and avoid a strike, but sadly that has led us nowhere,” stated Steve Martin, senior general chairman from IBEW System Council No. 11, in a release.
“The company clearly isn’t serious about reaching a negotiated settlement and delivering on their promise to do right by their employees,” stated Doug Finnson, president of the TCRC.
In a statement, CP confirmed it has started its work stoppage contingency plan, and will work with customers to wind down operations.
Both unions have expressed interest in continuing to negotiate up until and beyond the strike deadline.
Approximately 3,000 conductors and engineers are represented by the TCRC and were covered under a collective agreement with CP, which expired December 31, 2017. According to the union, commuter train services would not be affected by a Teamsters member strike.
Around 360 signal maintainers are represented by the IBEW. Their collective agreement with CP expired December 31, 2016.
