Calgary Alberta - Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) today responded to incorrect, misleading, and inflammatory claims by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference - Maintenance of Way Employees Division (TCRC-MWED) leadership.
 
Counter to union leadership's statements that recently announced layoffs at CP were in violation of the law, CP has in fact been working closely with Transport Canada, meeting or exceeding all requirements, as well as all applicable requirements of the union's collective agreement.
 
CP must adjust staffing levels according to business ebbs and flows associated with global markets and operational efficiency gains.
 
The layoffs affect 260 current Maintenance of Way positions and 240 vacant positions.
 
These layoffs will not impact CP's commitment to safety, the frequency of both visual inspections and ultrasonic rail flaw detection remains unchanged.
 
CP will continue to meet or exceed all regulatory requirements for track inspection and maintenance as set out in the Track Safety Rules.
 
Since the staffing level changes pose no risk to employees, the public, property, or the environment, CP concluded a risk assessment was not required.
 
Transport Canada was notified and agreed with this conclusion.
 
It is irresponsible of union leadership to provide misstatements to the public that subvert the facts and undermine CP's commitment to rail safety in an effort to further the union leadership's own interests.
 
Anonymous Author.