Minneapolis Minnesota USA - Canadian Pacific Railway today announced that it has ratified a transformational multi-year collective agreement with its 300 locomotive engineers, assistant engineers, conductors, and brakemen on the Dakota Minnesota & Eastern Railway (DME), represented by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET).
 
The men and women represented by the BLET on the DME join their colleagues from the Soo Line in ratifying this agreement.
 
Soo Line employees ratified their agreement on 9 Oct 2015.
 
The new hourly-rate agreement brings an end to a mileage-based wage system from the steam engine era and provides CP with increased flexibility and transparency, the employee with a cycle with two consecutive days off, and significantly increased wages.
 
"This negotiated agreement gives us many more options that will help us better meet the needs of our customers and the North American economy," said Keith Creel, CP's President and Chief Operating Officer.
 
"More importantly, this future-focused agreement will improve the quality of life for our employees and give them and their families more certainty."
 
The agreement, which also gives BLET DME members the ability to participate in the employee share purchase plan, spans three years with an option for either side to revert to the former agreement if written notice is given prior to the beginning of the third year.
 
If neither party reverts, the agreement is extended for two more years.
 
Martin Cej.