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CPKC and CN lock out TCRC employees, shutting down Canadian rail network

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and CN both announced today that they have locked out employees represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) as of 00:01 Eastern Time on Aug. 22, following unsuccessful negotiations with the union.

CPKC’s lockout affects approximately 3,200 locomotive engineers, conductors, and train and yard workers, as well as 80 rail traffic controllers, while CN’s lockout involves similar employee groups across its network.

Both companies have initiated safe and orderly shutdowns of their Canadian rail operations, signaling a significant disruption in the national rail network.

In separate statements, the two companies said that throughout nearly a year of negotiations, CPKC and CN have cited their commitment to good-faith bargaining, offering competitive wage increases, improved rest provisions, and more predictable schedules. Despite these efforts, the TCRC has rejected multiple offers from both railways, leading the companies to take the step of locking out employees. Both CPKC and CN have called for binding arbitration as a fair and effective means to resolve the ongoing disputes, but the TCRC has not accepted this proposal.

CPKC emphasized that delaying resolution could exacerbate disruptions during the peak fall shipping period, while CN highlighted that its offer included significant wage improvements and better work-life balance for employees. CN also noted that its employees currently work approximately 160 days a year due to a combination of duty and rest period rules, paid leave, and vacation provisions, with average annual earnings of $121,000 for conductors and $150,000 for locomotive engineers, excluding benefits.

The shutdowns by CPKC and CN mark a critical moment for Canada’s rail industry, with significant implications for the economy and supply chains across North America. Both companies continue to urge the TCRC to engage with the urgency required to reach a fair resolution.

Click here for CN’s statement.

Click here for CPKC’s statement.