Talks stall in CP railway negotiations, back-to-work legislation looming

Canadian pacific railway strikers are facing back to work legislation after talks between the union and CP rail broke down Sunday.

According to the CBC, both sides rejected a proposal made by a government-appointed arbitrator after initially accepting the settlement.

While Labour Minister Lisa Raitt would rather the two sides come to a deal on their own, she is ready to propose back to work legislation.

The impending back to work legislation was announced after members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference walked off the job on May 23.

The chief negotiator for the TCRC stated that CP is stalling because it knows that the back to work law is coming. He further stated that CP’s actions are in bad faith.

The strike could hurt Canada’s economic recovery, with Raitt stating that the stoppage has already cost the Canadian economy over $540 million each week it goes on.

These and other labour issues are expected to be the main topics of discussion in the House of Commons when it resumes Monday.