CPKC rail service continues during IBEW strike

CPKC has implemented contingency plans and continues to operate following the launch of a strike on May 31 by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Canadian Signals and Communications System Council No. 11. 

The union represents about 300 Canadian communications and signal (C&S) workers employed by CPKC. Backed by a 96% strike mandate vote, the union launched the work stoppage following months of unsuccessful bargaining and the completion of federally mandated conciliation and mediation processes.

Employees have raised concerns with wages, expenses incurred by employees and work-life balance issues arising from "extensive on-call obligations and demanding schedules," IBEW officials said in a press release. Further, the union states that CPKC is facing challenges with retaining C&S employees.

"CPKC has presented a fair and balanced proposal with wage and benefit increases consistent with collective agreements currently in place with all our other unions across Canada," CPKC officials said in a press release. "We continue to encourage IBEW to end its strike and accept binding arbitration."