CP Rail sees ‘gap’ in labour talks with strike deadline days away

Canadian Pacific Railway says a new labour agreement with thousands of train conductors and other workers remains elusive, less than a week before the deadline for the start of a strike that could cripple its network.

“Despite CP’s best efforts, a significant gap remains” between the company and two unions — the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers — the Calgary-based railway said in a statement late Friday. A work stoppage could occur as early as April 21.

The talks come as the country’s second-biggest railroad grapples with increased volumes following contract wins.

A work stoppage “will severely impact CP’s ability to continue to provide safe and efficient freight and passenger and commuter service,” Canadian Pacific said. “All customers and commodities would be impacted at a time when demand is soaring.”

Commuters in Canada’s three biggest cities — Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver — would also be affected because many of the trains they ride on use Canadian Pacific’s network.

Teamsters Canada represents about 3,000 train conductors and engineers, while the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is negotiating on behalf of about 360 signal maintainers. Meetings with both unions are planned for next week, Canadian Pacific said.

Calling the company ’s comments “replete with fabrication and innuendo,” Teamsters Canada said Saturday that the railroad “is attempting to manufacture a crisis to force government intervention and avoid bargaining ” with the union.