Canadian Pacific Railway workers are back to work, but a labor relations expert says it could be weeks before disputes are resolved between the country’s second-largest rail carrier and the union representing 3,000 drivers, mechanics and other workers.
Posted at 2:39 p.m.
Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference announced early Tuesday that they have agreed to submit to final and binding arbitration to end the work stoppage that began this weekend.
“Given the notoriety of this company, the arbitration process will likely be expedited, but we’re not talking days, we’re talking weeks,” said Robert Hickey, professor of labor and employment law at the ‘Queen’s University, during an interview.
He also noted that CP was well aware of the importance and need to manage labor relations and resolve the dispute quickly, as it awaits approval from a US regulator to finalize its merger. with the American Kansas City Southern Railroad.
“Labour relations are key to being a competitive player in this market,” he argued.
In a statement released early Tuesday, Teamsters Canada Rail Conference spokesman Dave Fulton said that while arbitration was “not the preferred method”, the union was able to “negotiate terms that were in the best interests of its members. Salaries and the pension plan remain stumbling blocks, the statement said.
For his part, CP Chief Executive Keith Creel said in a statement that the railroad is pleased to have reached the agreement to enter binding arbitration, which allows it to restore essential services to customers and the North American supply chain.
The statement adds that CP will begin working with customers to resume normal train operations in the country as soon as possible.
The two sides had met with the help of federal mediators.
CP suspended operations on Sunday, just after midnight. Hours later, the Teamsters issued a statement saying the employees were locked out, but also on strike.
Federal Labor Minister Seamus O’Regan said in a statement that the result “only confirms that when employers and unions work together, we achieve the best results for Canadians and our economy.”
Industry groups have urged Ottawa to introduce special legislation to force CP employees back to work, but O’Regan had indicated over the weekend that the government believed the best deal would be struck. at the negotiating table.