Teamsters union fires back at CP Rail for playing the ‘victim card’ as strike deadline looms
The union representing around 3,000 conductors and locomotive engineers fired back at Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. after the company’s chief executive vowed on Wednesday it “cannot be put in a position where we’re held hostage.”
The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) released a statement Thursday afternoon, less than 48-hours away from strike deadline, saying it was “confused at the sight of CP publicly playing the ‘victim card’ in current contract negotiations.”
“If CP is a victim, then they’re a victim of their own aggressive behaviour and they must finally be feeling the consequences of their actions,” TCRC president Doug Finnson said in the statement.
“The fact that CP feels they are being taken hostage by working-class Canadians is a reflection of their failed labour relations strategy.”
Speaking on a conference call with analysts on Wednesday afternoon, CP’s chief executive Keith Creel also said the company would not take a position “that would destroy our long-term ability to be on solid financial footing.”
“If it means that we have to experience short-term pain to avoid that long-term damage, then that’s my fiduciary responsibility to all stakeholders, and we’re going to uphold that,” Creel said.
Teamsters and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) served CP with a 72-hour strike notice on Wednesday, citing a lack of progress at the bargaining table. Around 3,400 workers could walk off the job as early as 12:01 a.m. on Saturday if the parties cannot reach an agreement.
Teamsters spokesperson Christopher Monette said discussions with company and federal mediators took place in Calgary on Thursday and are still ongoing.
“Unfortunately, at less than two days from a strike deadline, we have no progress to report,” Monette said in an emailed statement. “We will continue to negotiate in good faith with the company in hopes of reaching a fair contract.”
A potential strike by CP workers would have wide-ranging consequences at a time when demand is high and the railway is working to alleviate a grain backlog. Farmers have warned that any further service disruptions would be devastating.
“This would have a domino effect throughout the economy,” said Queen’s University professor George Smith, who has previously negotiated collective agreements with Teamsters.
“(A strike) could put pressure on the government as well… There will come a point in time if there is a strike with multiple disruptions to multiple industries that the national interest becomes paramount.”
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