CP Rail said it tabled an offer Tuesday to address 26 outstanding issues, including the union's key issues of wages, benefits and pensions through final and binding arbitration.
The company said the union rejected the offer and continues to table additional demands.
“For the sake of our employees, our customers, the supply chain we serve and the Canadian economy that is trying to recover from multiple disruptions, we simply cannot prolong for weeks or months the uncertainty associated with a potential labour disruption,” said CP Rail President and CEO
“The world has never needed Canada’s resources and an efficient transportation system to deliver them more than it does today. Delaying resolution would only make things worse. We take this action with a view to bringing this uncertainty to an end.”
"At the bargaining table, CP continues to dismiss our members’ demands and are unwilling to negotiate the issues they have created," he said. "Our members are fully engaged and will be ready in the event CP carries out the notice."
The union represents about 3,000 locomotive engineers, conductors, train and yard workers across
Many of CP Rail's customers have raised concerns about the possibility of a labour disruption at a time when supply chains are already strained due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Canadian manufacturers, grain shippers, and farmers have all warned of potential wide-ranging impacts.
Labour Minister
"Our government respects and has faith in the collective bargaining process, because we know that the best deals are the ones reached by the parties at the bargaining table," O'Regan said.
"The Minister of Transport,
"We have been in touch with the parties directly, urging them to work together to resolve their issues and reach a deal as quickly as possible, and will continue to do so."
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Companies in this story: (TSX:CP)
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