Canadian railways ratify new agreements

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and Unifor, the union representing mechanical employees in Canada, has ratified a new four-year collective agreement.

“By working collaboratively together with Unifor, we have completed another collective agreement reached at the bargaining table that benefits our employees with improved wages and benefits for years to come,” said Keith Creel, CPKC president and CEO. “This agreement, ratified with strong support among our mechanical employees, brings long-term labor stability to our railroaders as we continue to safely and efficiently serve our customers moving the Canadian and North American economies.” 

Unifor represents approximately 1,200 mechanics, labourers, diesel service attendants and mechanical support staff across Canada.

This is the second new collective agreement ratified this year by CPKC employees in Canada.

CN also announced that its new four-year tentative collective agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers (IBEW) was formally ratified by employees. The union represents approximately 750 signals and communications employees at CN in Canada.

“The ratification of this agreement by our employees with the IBEW union represents a mutually beneficial outcome,” said Patrick Whitehead, executive vice-president and chief network operating officer for CN. “This is what we strive for in the collective bargaining process, allowing us to continue delivering safe, efficient, and reliable service to our customers and the communities where we operate.”

This new four-year agreement includes three per cent wage increases annually and expires Dec. 31, 2028.