By Railfan & Railroad Staff

CALGARY — While other Class Is are engaged in contentious labor talks, Canadian Pacific and Teamsters Canada announced Monday that they had forged a new two-year collective agreement after five months of binding arbitration. The deal covers about 3,000 locomotive engineers, conductors and yard workers in Canada. 

The new contract includes a 3.5 percent wage increase in 2022 and 2023 and increased benefits. Under the arbitration decision, the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference will also join a CP Pension Improvement Account. The new collective agreement runs through 2023.   

“CP welcomes the conclusion of arbitration and is pleased to have completed this agreement with the TCRC Negotiating Committee,” said CP President and CEO Keith Creel. “We continue to work with our union partners to reach agreements that meet the needs of our industry-leading railroaders and allow us to grow our business as we provide essential services for our customers and the North American supply chain.”

The deal comes as Class Is south of the border (including Canadian National’s U.S. operations) are continuing a contentious round of talks with unions over a national contract. In July, President Joe Biden established a presidential emergency board to try and forge an agreement between all sides.