Canadian Pacific Railway strike averted
Unions ordered to hold votes on company’s offers
CALGARY — A rail strike was at least temporarily averted Friday night after the federal labour minister ordered employees of Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. to vote on the company’s final offers, just hours before they were set to walk off the job.
Statements from both CP Rail and two unions representing workers said the minister’s order to administer a ratification vote on each of the offers followed advice of federal mediators.
In a statement, representatives for the unions recommended that their members reject the company’s offers.
Earlier this week, the Teamsters and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers gave the railway a 72-hour notice of strike action.
CP Rail said in statement that the minister’s order means there will be no disruption in commuter or freight service.
But a statement from the unions say the company’s offers don’t have a “chance in hell of being ratified.”
An electronic vote on the offers will be conducted by the Canada Industrial Relations Boards at an undetermined date.
Earlier Friday, passenger train providers in Ontario and B.C. had warned of potential disruptions to service as Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. and two of its unions negotiated ahead of a midnight deadline to settle contract issues.
Union and company sources said Friday morning that marathon contract talks were continuing, but no progress could be reported.
“Negotiations are ongoing, it’s around-the-clock bargaining here, and we’re working hard to try to reach a negotiated settlement to try to avoid a strike,” said Christopher Monette, spokesman for the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.
On Wednesday, the Teamsters, which represent over 3,000 CP Rail conductors and engineers, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, with about 365 signal and communications workers, gave the railroad 72-hour notice of strike action.
Via Rail Canada warned passengers Friday it may have to cancel morning trains today and Sunday between Sudbury and White River, Ont., if the labour dispute resulted in a shutdown of CP Rail services.
“Via Rail is following the negotiations closely and is currently analyzing the scenarios and potential effects of the work stoppage on its operations in order to minimize the impact on its passenger services, should it occur,” it said in a statement, adding it is in contact with customers who have reservations on affected trains.
Greater Toronto transit operator Metrolinx said there could be delays for customers on its Milton and Barrie lines.
It added CP also owns a section of corridor leading into the Hamilton GO Centre and train service to and from this station would not be provided, although regular GO bus service would continue and extra buses would be put into service.
The B.C. Rapid Transit Company said Friday it will provide buses if a CP Rail disruption stops its West Coast Express train service in the Greater Vancouver area.
VIA Rail and Metrolinx advised customers to check their websites for updates.