[180215.EN.BIZ] Canadian Pacific Locomotive Engineers End strike -Agree to Arbitration

A STRIKE by locomotive engineers was brought to an end almost as soon as it began when the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference agreed to enter into binding arbitration.

"This decision ensures both sides will get back to the table, and gets us back to moving Canada's economy forward," said Canadian Pacific CEO Hunter Harrison. "While we would have preferred a negotiated settlement, this is the right thing to do at this time."

An arbitrator will be appointed by the federal government to settle differences between the 3,000 train drivers and Canada's No 2 railway.

Earlier, CP announced a tentative four-year agreement with its Unifor union employees, details of which have been with withheld pending ratification by the union's 1,800 members.

Teamster talks broke down over rest periods with the union saying CP had reneged on provisions in previous collective agreements to provide rest after 10 hours.

Meanwhile CSX said it was preparing for possible impacts to its Canadian operations as a result of unresolved negotiations between the CP and CN and the Teamsters and Unifor union.

CSX expects traffic would be most impacted in Buffalo and Detroit, where CSX interchanges with CP.

Source : HKSG.