Members of Unifor Local 101R at Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway have voted by 99% to authorize strike action. On Jan. 27, two days before the workers were set to walk out, CPKC announced a tentative four-year contract had been reached with union negotiators. Workers will be voting on it.
Unifor is the largest private-sector union in Canada. It represents some 1,200 mechanics, laborers, diesel service attendants, heritage train mechanics and mechanical support workers, who carry out the inspection, repair and maintenance of the company’s fleet of locomotives and railcars.
The union began new contract talks with CPKC bosses last October, speaking for its members at 17 work sites in Canada. Workers’ top concerns are high levels of contracting out, forced overtime and strict scheduling policies that negatively impact work-life balance.
In late November Unifor announced negotiations had reached an impasse, and the union would organize a strike vote. “CPKC’s unwillingness to address the key concerns of our members is unacceptable,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. The rail bosses also informed Unifor they wouldn’t be available for further negotiations until Jan. 24, just days before the present contract expires.
After 10,000 freight rail workers, members of the Teamsters, at Canadian Pacific Kansas City and at Canadian National went on strike last August, the federal government used anti-labor legislation to order them back to work.
“There is growing frustration among workers due to rising cost of living, economic inequities and lack of safety on the job,” Payne said.