TCRC, IBEW to vote on Canadian Pacific's contract proposals

The Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) has notified Canadian Pacific that voting on CP's final contract proposals for the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference-Train & Engine (TCRC) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) will begin May 14 and close May 23.

If final offers are accepted, the potential for a work stoppage will be averted, according to a CP press release. If the offers are not accepted, after the vote totals are announced a minimum of 72 hours' notice will have to be provided before a strike or company lockout could occur, CP officials said.

The TCRC represents about 3,000 conductors and engineers who work at CP; about 360 signal maintainers are represented by the IBEW.

CP launched a website containing details of the final offers.

In late April, CP reached an agreement with the two unions to avoid a strike. TCRC and IBEW leaders have said they're only postponing a strike until their members vote on the contract proposals.