CPKC and IBEW end strike

CPKC and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Canadian Signals and Communications System Council No. 11 have agreed to enter binding arbitration and end a nearly three-month-long strike.

Leading up to the strike, which began May 31, union members raised concerns about wages, expenses incurred by employees, work-life balance and recruitment and retention. CPKC, which maintained operations during the strike, stated that its proposed offers have had wage and benefit increases consistent with collective agreements in place with all of its other unions across Canada. 

Since the strike began, IBEW filed 19 reports with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) regarding CPKC's use of replacement workers. In a Aug. 21 press release, IBEW Council No. 11 expressed disappointment with the length of the CIRB proceedings.

"The absence of timely, real-time enforcement and the prolonged nature of the Board proceedings contributed to the length of this dispute and ultimately to our decision to pursue another path to resolution," said Jason Sommer, senior general chairman of IBEW Council No. 11.