Unifor members of Local 101R at Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) have voted “overwhelmingly” in favor of strike action, with 99% of members voting in support, if a deal is not reached by 12:01 a.m. EST on Jan. 29, 2025, according to the union.
“This strike mandate shows the strength and determination of CPKC workers to achieve a fair deal,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “Members are united in their demands for job security and work ownership, fair wages, and improved working conditions.”
Negotiations with CPKC are set to resume in Calgary from Jan. 24 to Jan. 29, where the union’s bargaining committee will “continue its efforts to secure an agreement that meets the needs of all members,” according to the union.
Unifor represents more than 1,200 members at Local 101R who work in mechanical shops, inspecting and maintaining CPKC’s fleet of locomotives and freight cars, and ensuring the railway’s equipment is safe and operational.
“CPKC workers play a critical role in Canada’s transportation network. Our union will stand firm to ensure their contributions are respected through an approved collective agreement,” added Payne.
“We remain focused on, and committed to, arriving at a negotiated outcome that is in the best interests of our employees and their families,” a spokesperson for CPKC said.
Back in August, CPKC and CN dealt with a work stoppage that halted trains for four days, according to a CityNews report. That work stoppage began after 9,300 workers were locked out following months of conversations that “failed to lead to a new contract.”
The strike ended after the federal government forced binding arbitration.
According to the Railway Association of Canada (RAC), CPKC and CN haul a combined $1 billion in goods each day.
