Canadian IBEW members reject latest CPKC contract offer

Members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) System Council No. 11 overwhelmingly voted to reject a contract offer from CPKC.

IBEW Council 11 represents about 300 communications and signals employees working for CPKC in Canada. The employees have been on strike since May 31.

With a 96.6% voter turnout, 256 members (89.2%) voted to reject the contract; while 31 members (10.8%) voted to accept it, union officials said in a press release. The union has filed 19 complaints with the Canada Industrial Relations Board since the start of the strike regarding CPKC's use of replacement workers, which IBEW Council 11 believes to be unlawful, they added.

"While today's vote sends a strong message, our focus remains on returning to meaningful bargaining," said Jason Sommer, senior general chairman of IBEW Council 11. "The Union remains ready, willing, and available to meet with the Company at any time to negotiate a fair collective agreement."

A CPKC spokesperson provided the following statement via email: "Rail operations continue. The company’s contingency plans to provide safe and efficient rail service initiated when the strike began on May 31, 2026, remain in place. CPKC continues to serve our customers and the Canadian economy."