CPKC strike enters 12th week as union rejects company's latest contract offer

The CPKC rail strike across Canada entered its 12th week Friday after union members overwhelmingly rejected the company's latest contract offer.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Canadian Signals and Communications Systems Council No. 11 began striking May 31 over wages, employee expenses, on-call obligations, and demanding schedules. On Friday, 287 members — representing 97 per cent turnout — voted to reject CPKC's most recent proposal, with 256 members (89 per cent of those who voted) declining the offer.

Some 300 IBEW members, including several working in Revelstoke, have been on the picket line for three months. These workers help keep CPKC's rail network operating 24-7.

In early stages of the dispute, CPKC said it would not settle on IBEW's initial ask for wage and benefit increases that would double what other Canadian collective bargaining units receive. The company pointed to seven-days-on, seven-days-off scheduling used successfully in Calgary, but IBEW countered that other railway communities including Revelstoke have different costs of living and harder-to-fill positions.

IBEW also raised concerns about CPKC replacing striking workers with third-party contractors, alleging violations of the Canada Labour Code. The union filed 19 Section 94 complaints with the Canada Industrial Relations Board. The CIRB has heard only two of those complaints, the union said, delaying resolution. The Canada Industrial Relations Board has ruled that CPKC's use of a contractor during the strike violates anti-replacement worker laws.

IBEW senior general chairman Jason Sommer said the vote "demonstrates that our members remain united in their determination to achieve a fair collective agreement." The union said it remains willing to return to bargaining.

CPKC spokesperson Terry Cunha said the company continues operating and the situation "remains unchanged" 11 weeks in. "CPKC continues to serve our customers and the Canadian economy," he said.