Unifor Initiates Contract Negotiations with Canadian Pacific

(Reuters) – Unifor announced on Tuesday that it has begun contract negotiations with Canadian Pacific (NYSE:CP) Kansas City, shortly after starting discussions with Canadian National Railway (TSX:CNR).

The union, which represents 1,200 workers at CPKC, aims to address key issues impacting rail workers across seventeen workplaces in Canada.

As the world's second-largest country by area, Canada heavily depends on trains for transporting a wide range of commodities and goods. Work stoppages at railroad companies can significantly disrupt the nation's economy, as seen in August.

Unifor's bargaining priorities include tackling "high levels of contracting out, forced overtime, and strict company policies that negatively impact work-life balance."

In August, Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Union threatened a work stoppage, resulting in one of the biggest service disruptions in Canada's rail sector. The work stoppage ended only after the Canadian government intervened, calling for binding arbitration to reach a new contract agreement. Teamsters have subsequently filed court challenges against these rulings.