Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), a leading North American railway company, has announced the resumption of its rail operations across Canada, effective 00:01 ET on Monday, August 26, 2024. This decision comes after the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) issued a binding order mandating the return of Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) employees to their positions and the restart of railway operations.
CPKC has confirmed its full compliance with the CIRB directive, bringing an end to the lockout that began on Thursday, August 22. To expedite the resumption of operations and minimize further disruptions to the Canadian economy and supply chains, CPKC has requested that TCRC employees return to work for the day shift on Sunday.
The company’s management team is diligently implementing a restart plan to ensure the safe and orderly resumption of rail services across the country. CPKC is also collaborating closely with its customers to facilitate a smooth return to normal operations. The CIRB has scheduled a case management meeting for Thursday, August 29, to discuss the imposition of final binding interest arbitration.
According to the CIRB order, the existing collective agreements between CPKC and the union will remain in effect. This decision follows the Canadian Minister of Labour’s directive issued on Thursday, August 22, under the authority of Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code.
CPKC is eager to welcome back its Canadian workforce, which includes locomotive engineers, conductors, yardpersons, and dispatchers. The company is focused on restoring its railway operations to full capacity and resuming the movement of trade and commerce throughout North America.
The CIRB’s order brings an end to several months of uncertainty and disruption, which have had a significant impact on the Canadian economy and North American supply chains. CPKC anticipates that it will take several weeks for the railway network to fully recover from the work stoppage, with supply chains stabilizing over a longer period.
Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, CPKC is the first and only single-line transnational railway linking Canada, the United States, and Mexico, providing unparalleled access to key markets across North America. With a network spanning approximately 20,000 route miles and employing 20,000 railroaders, CPKC offers a comprehensive suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions, and supply chain expertise.
