Canadian Pacific Railway and union reach a deal, train operations to resume
Posted March 21, 2022 11:35 pm.
Last Updated July 5, 2022 10:43 am.
Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) have reached a deal to end the work stoppage and have now entered into binding arbitration.
In a statement, CP says they will immediately start working with customers to resume train operations across Canada as soon as possible.
BREAKING: Canadian Pacific and the TCRC have reached a deal and are back to work tomorrow. @CityNewsVAN https://t.co/M5NaCbOXqv
— Kareem Gouda (@KareemsGouda) March 22, 2022
“CP is pleased to have reached agreement with the TCRC Negotiating Committee to enter into binding arbitration and end this work stoppage,” said CP President and CEO Keith Creel in a statement Monday night. “This agreement enables us to return to work effective noon Tuesday local time to resume our essential services for our customers and the North American supply chain.”
Read more: CP Rail work stoppage could hit product supply, prices: expert
The union says wages and pensions remain stumbling blocks.
“The decision to agree to final and binding arbitration is not taken lightly,” said TCRC spokesperson Dave Fulton in a statement. “While arbitration is not the preferred method, we were able to negotiate terms and conditions that were in the best interest of our members.”
The union says it will provide no further comment until the new collective agreement has been completed.
Striking CP Rail workers walk the picket line in Montreal on Monday, March 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
It’s unclear how costly the work stoppage was for businesses and the Canadian economy but many stakeholders had pressured the government to step in to prevent anymore impacts.
In a statement, Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan Jr. thanked both sides for staying at the table.
“This outcome is further evidence that when employees and unions work together, we get the best results Canadians and for our economy,” he said.
.@CanadianPacific & @TeamstersRail have agreed to resolve their outstanding issues through binding arbitration. Rail operations will resume on March 22. I congratulate the parties for staying at the table and coming to a resolution with the help of federal mediators. Thank you.
— Seamus O’Regan Jr (@SeamusORegan) March 22, 2022
With files from The Canadian Press
