It may soon be quiet on CP Rail lines across northwestern Ontario and the entire country.
Canadian Pacific Railway plans to lock out members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference on Sunday if union leadership and the company are unable to come to a negotiated settlement or agree to binding arbitration.
A statement from CP says, “We have been negotiating in good faith since September and over the past week, Canadian Pacific and the TCRC leadership have been meeting daily with federal mediators to reach a new negotiated collective agreement in hopes of avoiding a labour disruption. Despite those talks, our positions remain far apart.
Officials add an offered to address 26 outstanding issues concerning wages, benefits and pensions through final and binding arbitration was presented this week but the union rejected the deal.
CP accuses the TCRC of tabling additional work rule demands.
President and CEO Keith Creel says, “For the sake of our employees, our customers, the supply chain we serve and the Canadian economy that is trying to recover from multiple disruptions, we simply cannot prolong for weeks or months the uncertainty associated with a potential labour disruption. The world has never needed Canada’s resources and an efficient transportation system to deliver them more than it does today. Delaying resolution would only make things worse.”
The TCRC represents about 3,000 locomotive engineers, conductors, train and yard workers across Canada.
The workers recently voted 96.7% to authorize strike action.
“It was well known that CP was going to force a work stoppage and lockout our members. They have done just that,” said Dave Fulton, spokesperson for TCRC. “At the bargaining table, CP continues to dismiss our members’ demands and are unwilling to negotiate the issues they have created. We remain committed to reaching an acceptable agreement that addresses our members issues. Our members are fully engaged and will be ready in the event CP carries out the notice.”
He adds, “Teamsters Canada Rail Conference is committed to working with federal mediators and reaching a negotiated settlement. The Union is willing to remain at the bargaining table until the March 20th lockout deadline and beyond.”
Several firms have spoken out, saying a work stopping will on further impact the ability to get products to market.
Some are going as far as asking the federal government to intervene.
