Possible Strike – Union Members at Canadian Pacific Railway

Members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) voted 96.7% to go on strike starting just after midnight EST on March 16 should talks fail between TCRC and Canadian Pacific Railway, according to a release. The potential strike would affect more than 3000 locomotive engineers, conductors, trainpersons and yard persons working at CP.  

The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service will hold mediation meetings with the union and CP between March 11 and 16. 

The union says the main issues include wages, benefits and pensions.  

“A work stoppage of any duration at CP will impact virtually all commodities within the Canadian supply chain, thereby crippling the performance of Canada’s trade-dependent economy. The consequences of a work stoppage will be felt long after workers return to work and service resumes. This is an issue of doing what is best for Canada’s economy,” CP continued. 

The last time union members went on strike at CP was May 2018, although it ended within days.  

In November 2019, TCRC members went on strike at CP rival CN. That strike lasted for eight days. 

Last year, CP and Teamsters Rail Conference Rail Canada Traffic Controllers reached a three-year agreement. 

Source: FreightWaves  

Delmar will continue to monitor this situation as it develops. For more information related to contingency options and pricing, please contact your local Delmar Representative.