CPKC remains committed to doing its part to avoid a work stoppage that would be damaging to the interests of all stakeholders, the economy and Canada’s international reputation. However, we must take responsible and prudent steps to prepare for a potential rail service interruption next week.
As previously indicated, CPKC has served notice to lock out Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) Train and Engine (T&E) and Rail Traffic Controller (RCTC) employees at 00:01 Aug 22, unless TCRC leadership and the company are able to come to negotiated agreements or agree to binding interest arbitration.
CPKC remains committed to bargaining in good faith. Bargaining is scheduled to continue on Sunday, Aug. 18.
For the T&E division, CPKC is focused on a status quo-style contract renewal covering three years with competitive wage increases that are consistent with recent settlements with other railway unions and maintains the status quo for all work rules. The status quo-style offer fully complies with new regulatory requirements for rest and does not in any way compromise safety. For the TCRC – RCTC division, CPKC has also proposed a renewed agreement with the rail traffic controllers which would deliver competitive wage increases.
While CPKC continues to move as much freight as possible prior to a potential work stoppage, we are taking steps for a safe and orderly shutdown of railway operations in Canada:
On Monday, Aug. 12, embargo for all toxic by inhalation and poisonous by inhalation dangerous goods traffic originating in Canada or destined to a Canadian location took effect.
As of Thursday, Aug. 15, CPKC is not accepting loaded intermodal shipments classified as dangerous goods. This applies at all intermodal facilities for both domestic and international shipments destined to, or originating from, terminals and ports located in Canada.
Effective Saturday, Aug. 17, embargo expanded to other dangerous goods including all Rail Security Sensitive Materials (RSSM) as well as the Time Sensitive Commodities.
Effective Monday, Aug. 19, embargo expanded for all other dangerous goods shipments.
Effective Tuesday, Aug. 20, embargos for all shipments originating in Canada, all shipments originating in the United States destined to Canada, and all carload traffic destined to Canadian interchange.
CPKC is communicating directly with its customers as additional embargoes and intermodal terminal restrictions for temperature controlled containers and other intermodal containers are implemented, as necessary. We remain committed to keeping stakeholders updated.
We fully understand and appreciate what is at stake for Canadians and our economy. Commuters in Canada’s three largest cities (Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal), our employees, our customers, Canada’s international reputation and supply chains across North America are impacted. We recognize that disruption is already occurring and will intensify until this dispute is resolved.
CPKC is acting to protect Canada’s supply chains, and all stakeholders, from the more widespread disruption that would be created should this dispute drag out further resulting in a potential work stoppage occurring during the fall peak shipping period. Delaying resolution to this labour dispute will only make things worse.
CPKC reiterates its standing offer to resolve this matter through binding arbitration should negotiations be unsuccessful. Binding arbitration is a responsible, reasonable, and fair path forward that would resolve this dispute without causing even more unnecessary harm and disruption to supply chains and our economy. All this uncertainty and disruption could be ended today if the TCRC would agree to binding arbitration.
