Commuter rail services in Toronto and Vancouver could be impacted by CP Rail union strike

May 29 2018, 11:26 pm

In mere hours, CP Rail workers could be on strike.

An official strike notice was served by Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) and the IBEW System Council to Canadian Pacific (CP) with notice of intent to strike if no settlement was reached by Tuesday, May 29 at 10 pm ET.

The strike could delay some of the country’s freight service, and also some commuters will be affected by delays in cities like Toronto and Vancouver.

After workers at CP voted to reject the last contract offers, the company is still refusing to negotiate seriously, according to the TRCR.

“The company clearly isn’t serious about reaching a negotiated settlement and delivering on their promise to do right by their employees,” said Doug Finnson, President of the TCRC, in a statement earlier this week.

Finnson, along with Teamsters and the IBEW, say they are committed to working with federal mediators and reaching a negotiated settlement, and both unions are willing to remain at the bargaining table until the May 29 strike deadline.

In Ontario, no Go Transit service is expected to be cancelled in the event of a CP strike, but they do say there could be delays.

Meanwhile in Vancouver, TransLink has prepared alternate service for its West Coast Express customers following the announcement that two unions working for CP Rail have issued a strike notice to their employer.

The transit company said it would provide multiple buses to connect customers and also increase SkyTrain service, adding trains to prevent overcrowding.

In a release, CP said it has commenced its work stoppage contingency plan and will work closely with customers to ensure a smooth, efficient, and safe wind-down of operations.

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