The two sides agreed to final and binding arbitration in March
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Canadian Pacific (CP) and about 3,00 engineers, conductors and yard staff represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) will have at least two years of labour peace.
The two sides agreed to final and binding arbitration in March after CP locked out its employees for nearly three days because contract negotiations broke down.
The employees were prepared to strike at the time.
Under binding arbitration, an arbitrator will produce a final agreement both parties will be forced to accept.
Arbitrator William Kaplan, who has worked with Canada Post, WestJet pilots and dock workers in mediation processes, held meetings over the weekend with representatives from both sides to come up with a new plan.
The new agreement, which expires at the end of 2023, includes wage increases of 3.5 per cent in 2022 and 2023, and increases in dental and disability benefits.
Kaplan’s decision also mandates TCRC enter an agreement with CP on a pension improvement account (PIA) by the end of September and until at least January 2024.
CP reps are pleased to put the labour conflict behind them.
"CP welcomes the conclusion of arbitration and is pleased to have completed this agreement with the TCRC Negotiating Committee," CP President and CEO Keith Creel said in a statement. "We continue to work with our union partners to reach agreements that meet the needs of our industry-leading railroaders and allow us to grow our business as we provide essential services for our customers and the North American supply chain."
TCRC reps “will review the award and provide comments to all Local Chairpersons and the membership in the very near future,” the union said in a memo.