Gold Silver Reports (GSR) – Canadian Pacific, Rail Unions Reach Deal to Avoid Canada Strike — CP succeeded in delaying the inevitable,” Doug Finnson, president of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, which represents about 3,000 train conductors and engineers, said in a statement on Saturday. “The government will bring this ridiculous offer to our members and we strongly recommend that members vote against it.”
Teamsters Canada and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which represents about about 360 signal maintainers, agreed late Friday to a recommendation from federal mediators that the Canadian Industrial Relations Board administer a ratification vote. While that averted a potential walkout starting at midnight, it didn’t portend labor peace, with both unions saying Saturday they “strongly recommend” members reject the company offers.
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The groups won’t release details of the offers until workers have a chance to review it, but say they don’t satisfy workers’ concerns around fatigue and wages. More than 8,000 grievances have been filed against CP by Teamster members, and close to 300 by IBEW members, in the last three years. Earlier this month, members of the Teamsters and IBEW voted 94 percent and 98 percent in favor of a strike, the unions said.
‘Tremendous News’
Late Friday, CP’s Chief Executive Officer Keith Creel hailed the fact that a strike had been avoided. “This is tremendous news for our employees, our customers and the Canadian economy,” he said in a statement.
The company didn’t immediately respond Saturday to a request outside of normal business hours for a comment on the union statement.
Canada’s labor minister said it would ask the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to administer a ratification vote on each of the company’s final offers to the two unions.
“Our Government believes in the collective bargaining process,” Labor Minister Patty Hajdu said in a statement. “I met with the parties in Calgary and encouraged them to continue their hard work to reach a fair deal that avoids any disruption in service.” – Neal Bhai Reports (NBR)
