Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) has announced its plans to resume railway operations in Canada following a directive from the Canadian Minister of Labour. The Minister’s decision, issued under Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, instructs the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to enforce final binding arbitration, allowing CPKC to immediately resume operations.
CPKC President and CEO, Keith Creel, highlighted the significant economic impact of a railway work stoppage on Canada and North America. He expressed gratitude for the government’s intervention, emphasizing the need to protect the national interest. While acknowledging the importance of collective bargaining, Creel stated that the stakes involved warranted the government’s action.
The company is eager to welcome its employees back to work to restore full operational capacity and continue serving customers and facilitating trade across North America. CPKC will adhere to the CIRB’s upcoming orders and is preparing for a safe and systematic restart of rail services. Updates on the timeline for the restart will be shared once the CIRB’s decision is received.
The resumption of operations will affect approximately 3,200 locomotive engineers, conductors, train and yard workers represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) – Train & Engine, and roughly 80 rail traffic controllers under the TCRC – Rail Canadian Traffic Controllers, all based in Canada.
This announcement underscores the significant impact of labor disputes on major industries, particularly those crucial to national economies. The government’s intervention demonstrates the importance of ensuring the smooth functioning of critical infrastructure and avoiding widespread economic disruptions.
