This story originally appeared on Trains.com
LAVAL, Quebec — Members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference have voted to reauthorize strikes at CPKC and CN, the union announced Saturday.
A total of 89.5 percent of union members participated in the vote, with 98.6 percent voting to reauthorize the strike, the union said. At CN, conductors, engineers and shunters voted 98.4 percent to authorize the strike, with a turnout of 90.1 percent. At CPKC, the same group voted 99.2 percent to reauthorize, with a turnout of 88.6 percent. CPKC train controllers, also represented by TCRC, voted 95.7 percent to reauthorize the strike, with a turnout of 88.5 percent.
The union previously authorized strikes at both railroads on May 1, but those authorizations are only valid for 60 days and the potential May 22 strikes have been put on hold while the Canada Industrial Relations Board rules on a government request to determine whether supplies should continue in the event of a work stoppage. That ruling is still pending.
“CN and CPKC are trying to force changes in our collective agreements that will turn back the clock on working conditions and rail safety,” TCRC President Paul Boucher said in a statement. “The Teamsters are trying to stop them. With this renewed strike mandate, we plan to return to the bargaining table, work with federal mediators, and do everything in our power to reach a fair deal for our members and protect all Canadians.”
The railroads have rejected union claims that their offers compromise safety. According to a statement from the CPKC, their latest offers “fully comply with the new legal requirements for rest.”
The union represents about 6,000 CN workers and about 3,300 at CPKC. Unable to negotiate a deal, the railroad offered binding arbitration, which the railroad rejected. The union proposed moving contract negotiations forward by two weeks to avoid simultaneous work stoppages, which the railroad also rejected.
CN’s most recent offer, from early June, can be found here.
CPKC said in a statement Friday that it is still awaiting a decision from the Canada Industrial Relations Board and believes “it is unlikely that the parties will be able to initiate a lawful strike or lockout before mid-July or later.” A minimum of 72 hours’ notice is required by law. CPKC said it has asked the CIRB to extend the cooling-off period by 30 days after the board makes its decision to “help provide stability and predictability” regarding a potential work stoppage and “enable all stakeholders to plan for such an eventuality.” The railway also said its offer of binding arbitration, as well as two collective bargaining proposals, remain on the table.
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