TCRC Says Negotiations Process At Canadian Pacific Failed

(RTTNews) - Teamsters Canada Rail Conference or TCRC has announced the negotiations process at Canada's second-largest railroad operator Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. (CP, CP.TO) has failed and there is no agreement reached with the employer's management team.

As a result, the TCRC have indicated they will strike as of 12:01 a.m. on February 15, 2015. TCRC represents CP's approximately 3,000 active locomotive engineers and conductors. Despite the efforts of Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services or FMCS to assist the parties to achieve a negotiated agreement, negotiations ended tonight.

"Picket lines are now being set up across Canada and the rail shut down is happening," said President Finnson.

On February 14, CP announced a tentative four-year agreement with its Unifor employees. Details of the tentative agreement are being withheld pending ratification by the Unifor membership.

"We are on strike to overcome the culture of fear initiated by CP management, to achieve a healthy and safe work environment for the working people, and to introduce effective and progressive fatigue countermeasures within our workplace without diminishing the collective agreement." concluded the union leader.

Despite the complete breakdown of bargaining tonight, the TCRC negotiating committee advised FMCS and the CP chief negotiator they remain available to negotiate an acceptable agreement.

CP proposed thoughtful, compelling and fair options including wage increases and improved benefit plans. Furthermore, CP proposed changes to work schedules to improve the quality of life for engineers and conductors.

CP said it will implement its extensive contingency plan by deploying qualified management employees to operate reduced freight service on its Canadian network. CP is working with its customers to advise them as to how this work stoppage will affect them. Customers should contact their account managers and CPs customer station for information about shipments.

"During our final discussions tonight we explained to CP Chief Operating Officer, Keith Creel, that we had received reports of American citizens being transported into Winnipeg to perform the work of our Canadian members. Mr. Creel committed to making certain that did not happen and would correct anything like that which has already happened," explained Finnson.