Canadian Pacific Rail Train Operators on Strike

MONTREAL, Quebec—Canadian Pacific Rail’s more than 3,000 train operators went on strike on the night of late May 29, affecting intercity passenger and freight service from Montreal to Vancouver. The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference said it is “willing to remain at the bargaining table during the strike,” and talks continued with the aid of federal mediators. The walkout came four days after 98% of the workers voted to reject CP Rail’s final offer. The Teamsters accused the company of “refusing to negotiate seriously.” “CP is offering more of the same contract language that workers just voted to reject a few hours ago,” TCRC president Doug Finnson said in a statement May 26. CP Rail did reach a tentative deal with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, covering 360 signaling workers who had also set a 10 p.m. strike deadline. The company has said it will continue operations, using qualified management staff to handle signaling and switching. The strike, the third at CP Rail in the last six years, does not include Teamsters operating commuter trains in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, which are run by a different company. Read more