Passenger train companies warn of disruption as CP Rail strike deadline looms

CALGARY — Passenger train providers in Ontario and B.C. are warning of potential disruptions to service as Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. and two of its unions negotiate ahead of a midnight deadline to settle contract issues.

Via Rail Canada is telling passengers it may have to cancel two Saturday morning trains between Sudbury and White River, Ont., if the labour dispute results in a shutdown of CP Rail services.

Greater Toronto transit operator Metrolinx says there could be delays for customers on its Milton and Barrie lines if CP Rail managers filling in for union workers are unable to address signal or switch issues on CP Rail-owned portions of the corridors.

Metrolinx added CP also owns a section of corridor leading into the Hamilton GO Centre and train service to and from this station would not be provided, although regular GO bus service would continue and extra buses would be put into service.

The BC Rapid Transit Company says it will provide buses if a CP Rail disruption stops its West Coast Express train service in the Greater Vancouver area.

Meanwhile, in Calgary, union and company sources say marathon contract talks are ongoing but no progress can be reported as yet.

On Wednesday, the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, which represents over 3,000 CP Rail conductors and engineers, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, with about 365 signal and communications workers, gave the railroad 72-hour notice of strike action.

Canadian Pacific says it is preparing with its customers for a possible strike by executing a “safe and structured shutdown of its train operations in Canada” to take effect as of midnight tonight.

VIA Rail and Metrolinx advised customers to check their websites for updates.

Companies in this story: (TSX:CP)