22 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

Editorials:

 

National Post, Toronto 2/17:
 

National Post View: The CP workers’ strike was none of the government’s business

 

Canada’s labour laws are absolutely clear: unions have the right to negotiate on behalf of their members and the power to walk off the job if their demands are not met. And as soon as they do — sometimes even before they do — the federal government can legislate them right back to work.

 

This odd incongruity was once again in evidence Tuesday when employees at Canadian Pacific Railway agreed to go back to work, in the shadow of planned federal legislation that would have forced them back. The 3,000 workers had been out less than two days after negotiations failed  .  .  .

 

SNIP

 

While the government’s concern for the economy is laudable, it should not be used as an excuse for running roughshod over labour relations. While there are examples of essential services or national emergencies that might legitimately pre-empt the right to strike —   .   .   .   — it is a stretch to make that principle apply to a two-day-old strike at a private rail company.   .   .   .

 

SNIP

 

Strikes are blunt instruments, and should be used only when talks have irrevocably failed. But they are legal, and a government that respects the law must respect that reality.

 

Read more here.

 

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The Globe and Mail, Toronto 2/17:

 

Globe editorial

The blunt instrument of state-compelled back-to-work

Yet again, the Conservative government has shown its propensity to interventionism in the Canadian economy – an apparent deviation from its free-market principles. It’s almost as if the Conservatives had decided that certain federally regulated transportation companies are essential services.

 

Three successive federal labour ministers have either brought in back-to-work legislation or threatened to do so:  .  .  .

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading, 4/27:

 

Mediator assigned to CP labor contract dispute

Canada's Labor Minister Kellie Leitch appointed George Adams as the mediator and arbitrator to assist Canadian Pacific and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference in settling outstanding issues related to their collective bargaining agreements.

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

CP news release:

 

CP and TCRC reach arbitrated agreement

December 9, 2015 Calgary, AB

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Canadian Pacific (TSX:CP) (NYSE:CP) today applauds the arbitration decision and agreement between CP and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC), the union representing CP's Canadian conductors and locomotive engineers.

 

"I'd like to thank the Honourable George W. Adams for his hard work in arbitrating this agreement and recognize the dedication and tireless hours of our labour relations team," said Keith Creel, CP President and Chief Operating Officer. "This is a great deal for CP, its employees, customers and shareholders and a step in the right direction for all stakeholders."

 

CP and the TCRC went into government mandated arbitration on May 15, 2015 and have been working diligently to come to a mutually beneficial agreement ever since. This agreement will expire Dec. 31, 2017.

 

CP will continue to push TCRC leadership on a model that allows us to properly schedule crews, provides mandatory rest options and maintains the highest standards of safe railroading.