CPKC, unions agree on new tentative contracts for U.S. employees

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. (CPKC) says it has reached 13 new tentative collective agreements with unions in the United States representing carmen, hostlers, labourers, clerks, maintenance workers and mechanical and engineering supervisors.

Six tentative five-year agreements were reached with the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen for employees on the Delaware & Hudson, Soo Line, Kansas City Southern, MidSouth, SouthRail and TexMex properties, covering a total of 228 carmen.

Five other tentative five-year agreements were made with the Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) and American Railway and Airway Supervisors Association (ARASA), representing clerks, maintenance workers and mechanical and engineering supervisor employees on the Delaware & Hudson, Soo Line and Kansas City Southern properties. These cover about 105 employees.

Two additional five-year tentative agreements were reached with National Conference of Firemen and Oilers (NCF&O) members on the Soo Line and Kansas City Southern properties, covering 30 hostlers and labourers.

“We are pleased to have reached these tentative collective agreements offering increased wages to hundreds of our railroaders across the United States,” said Keith Creel, CPKC president and chief executive officer. “By working collaboratively with our union leaders at the bargaining table, we have reached agreements benefiting our employees and their families, as we serve our customers and keep the American economy moving forward.”

The employees covered by the agreements work in Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin.

All agreements remain subject to ratification by the unions’ memberships.