Pickets down at Port Coquitlam rail yard as company, union agree to binding arbitration

A labour dispute that had more than 3,000 employees off the job for two days is now into binding arbitration.

Today (March 22), CP Rail announced it has reached an agreement with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) – Train and Engine Negotiating Committee to enter into binding arbitration. 

"CP is pleased to have reached agreement with the TCRC Negotiating Committee to enter into binding arbitration and end this work stoppage," stated Keith Creel, CP president and CEO.

"This agreement enables us to return to work effective noon Tuesday local time to resume our essential services for our customers and the North American supply chain."

It promised to get trains up and running as soon as possible, including at the Port Coquitlam rail yard.

In a news release, TCRC stated that with an agreement to final and binding arbitration, both parties agree to accept the arbitrator's decision as final.

"The decision to agree to final and binding arbitration is not taken lightly," stated spokesperson Dave Fulton.

"While arbitration is not the preferred method, we were able to negotiate terms and conditions that were in the best interest of our members."

He announced members would return to work today, however, wages and pensions remain stumbling blocks.

The agreement to continue talks and down picket lines follows a confusing weekend of events, during which a threatened lock out turned into a strike, sending workers off the job Sunday.

A lockout is a work stoppage that’s initiated by the employer during a labour dispute, in contrast to a strike, which is when employees refuse to work.

TCRC represents approximately 3,000 locomotive engineers, conductors, train and yard workers across Canada.
 
The shutdown raised concerns of interrupted supply lines hurting farmers and other groups.