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Strike at CP Rail appears ready to end, government announces company and union agree to arbitration

THUNDER BAY -- Canadian Pacific Railway and the union representing about 3,000 striking rail workers appear to have reached a compromise shortly before the federal government intended to introduce back-to-work legislation.
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Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Divison 243 representative Dale Roberts is disappointed the federal government appears to enact back-to-work legislation. (Matt Vis, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY -- Canadian Pacific Railway and the union representing about 3,000 striking rail workers appear to have reached a compromise shortly before the federal government intended to introduce back-to-work legislation.

National media reported Monday afternoon CP Rail and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference agreed to head to arbitration, bringing an end to the strike one day after it officially started.

Labour Minister Kellie Leitch announced the compromise in the House of Commons, just hours after she said the two sides were far apart and the Conservative government was prepared to intervene.

Dale Roberts, the union rep for the about 100 members of Division 243 in Thunder Bay, said arbitration would be a preferrable option rather than being forced back to work.

Back-to-work legislation would have taken power away from the workers.

“It disrupts the bargaining process. One of the few things we have left is the ability to go out on strike and force the employer to deal with issues,” he said at the picket line outside the CPR Station on Syndicate Avenue Monday.

“Right now, if the government steps in and the company realizes that, they have no real incentive or pressing timeline to deal with issues that are important to us…It shortcuts things and it’s disappointing because the issues don’t get solved.”

Leitch told the House of Commons that a strike would cost $205 million per week in GDP.

She had also made comments over the weekend that indicated a strike was basically an attack on the country’s economy.

"Due to this reckless disregard for Canadians, and the Canadian economy, our government will review all available options to end any work-stoppage expediently, up to and including the introduction of legislation in Parliament," she said in a statement released on Saturday.

Leitch had been involved in negotiations during the past week and tried to encourage both sides to reach a deal.

While Roberts acknowledged the comments were likely borne out of frustration, he said it shows the government appears to be favouring the company.

“We were very disappointed in seeing such a biased statement,” he said. “She’s a politician and is aware her words get spread Canada wide and for her to take such sides is very shocking to all of our members.”

The primary issue for the union is fatigue management and they are seeking protections for workers to ensure safety.

Roberts said the union wants to establish minimum time between shifts so workers have time to rest.

Otherwise it creates a dangerous environment not only for workers but the general public.

“The company is unwilling or unable to give us a schedule of when we’re going to work. Basically you get a two-hour call and then you’re off to work and you don’t know how long you’re going to be,” he said.

“There have been studies that show working with chronic fatigue is almost like working impaired. It impairs your judgement and thought process. We’re handling dangerous commodities right through the middle of our cities.





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