Teamsters put CP on strike notice

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

On February 10, Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) advised Canadian Pacific negotiators that in the event ongoing negotiations do not result in an agreement by midnight February 14, the entire bargaining unit of Locomotive Engineers, Conductors, Trainmen and Yardmen will be exercising their legal right to strike action throughout each location in Canada. The group represents more than 3,000 active engineers and conductors at CP. A work stoppage could occur as early as 12:01 a.m., Feb. 15, 2015.

 

TCRC President Douglas Finnson says that the union membership is determined to achieve a negotiated settlement, which addresses the issues they face on a daily basis.

“CP is completely unable to provide the majority of our members with any sort of accurate information on when they are required to work. The CP negotiators have admitted their line up model is completely unpredictable and they are simply unable to fix it. Furthermore, CP is either unwilling or unable to comply with the collective agreements that require train crews stop operating and obtain rest after 10 continuous hours of work,” explained Finnson.

“CP’s offers included wage increases, better benefit plans and the re-instatement of the Employee Share Purchase Plan in a long-term agreement,” said Peter Edwards, CP’s vice-president, human resources and labor relations. “We also proposed a model that will improve the scheduling of regular time off and quality of life while enhancing our service and efficiency, but the union has not been interested.”

TCRC are in Montreal meeting with CP with the assistance of Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services. TCRC says it is optimistic that CP will be able to agree with an acceptable set of terms the membership will ratify.

 

 

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