Mediator assigned to CP labor contract dispute

Canada's Labor Minister Kellie Leitch appointed George Adams as the mediator and arbitrator to assist Canadian Pacific and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference in settling outstanding issues related to their collective bargaining agreements.

Following a work stoppage that occurred Feb. 15 over a collective bargaining dispute, Leitch worked with the Class I and union leaders to reach a negotiated agreement. The two sides agreed voluntarily to send their outstanding issues to the mediation/arbitration process.

Four contracts covering about 3,800 running trades employees at CP expired Dec. 31, 2014.

Adams has been a professional mediator since 1997. He also has experience as a superior court judge.

"With [Adams'] vast experience in mediation and arbitration, I am confident that he will lead the parties through the final stage of negotiations and resolve any outstanding issues to reach a fair settlement," Leitch said in a prepared statement.