Work stoppage still set for 00:01 on Thursday, August 22, unless parties reach last-minute agreement
Calgary, August 18, 2024 – The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (Teamsters) today served 72-hour strike notice to CPKC. Unless parties reach last-minute agreements, a work stoppage will occur at 00:01 on Thursday, August 22.
CPKC has served notice they will be locking out our members as well as changing the terms of the collective agreements, stripping workers of those protections. This forces the union to serve strike notice to protect their members.
“We do not take this decision lightly, but CPKC’s reckless actions have forced our hand. By unilaterally locking out our members and changing the terms of the collective agreements, they are stripping our members of essential protections. We’re serving strike notice to defend the rights and safety of our members,” said Paul Boucher, President of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.
CPKC is pressuring the union for concessions that would make it even harder for workers to predict when they might be called for work, creating a fatigue-related safety risk. The company is attempting to undermine Canada Labour Code provisions, as well as change work rules related to being held away from their home.
Moreover, the bargaining committee representing CPKC rail traffic controllers (RTCs) has tabled numerous proposals to address issues identified by the company. CPKC has not responded with a single counteroffer during the entire process, nor have they revised their global demands tabled months ago.
Unilaterally changing or cancelling the terms of an expired collective agreement is a lesser-known tactic that can force workers to strike while allowing a company to avoid blame for the resulting disruptions.
The Teamsters remain committed to negotiating in good faith and doing everything possible to achieve fair and equitable agreements with CPKC.
“CPKC cares little for farmers, supply chains, or small businesses. This highly profitable company is playing hardball with the Canadian economy, doing whatever it can to line the pockets of its managers and shareholders, no matter the consequences. We are ready to bargain, but CPKC needs to stop playing games and get serious,” added Boucher.
At over 130,000 members, Teamsters Canada is the country’s largest transportation and supply chain union. It’s also the largest union in the federally regulated private sector. They are affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents over 1.2 million workers in North America.
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Media requests:
Christopher Monette
Director of Public Affairs
Teamsters Canada
Cell. : 514-226-6002
[email protected]
