Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) (CP.TO, CP) announced late Thursday that the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) convened an urgent case management conference. This follows a directive issued by the Canadian Minister of Labour to resume railway operations.
CPKC expressed readiness to fully address the resumption of services, emphasizing its priority status. However, the company expressed disappointment over the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference's (TCRC) decision to contest the Minister's directive to restart operations.
A subsequent case management conference is scheduled for Friday, August 23, to further review the submissions by all parties involved.
Despite the Minister's directive for expedited proceedings by the CIRB, CPKC acknowledged that any decision regarding the resumption of service will be delayed. The company remains prepared to resume operations immediately once ordered by the CIRB.
CPKC highlighted that the TCRC, representing both the Train and Engine division and Rail Canada Traffic Controller division, refused to engage in discussions about resuming service. Instead, the TCRC aims to challenge the constitutionality of the Minister's directive and the CIRB's jurisdiction to issue any orders.
Earlier that Thursday, CPKC announced the lockout of employees from the TCRC's Train and Engine division and Rail Traffic Controller division. The company also implemented a safe and structured shutdown of its train operations across Canada. CPKC anticipated a safe and efficient resumption of full rail operations across its entire network once the work stoppage concludes.
Later in the day, CPKC indicated its preparations to restart railway operations in Canada following the Canadian Minister's announcement. The Minister intends to exercise his authority to direct the CIRB to impose final binding arbitration and to promptly resume railway operations.
