CALGARY, Nov. 10, 2016 /CNW/ - Canadian Pacific (TSX:
CP) (NYSE: CP) has provided notice to the Teamsters Canada Rail
Conference (TCRC) that it will be seeking changes by Transport
Canada that would reduce by a third the maximum permissible hours
that its Canadian-based running trades employees can spend at the
controls of a train. This effort further highlights CP's leadership
role in addressing issues of work, rest and time off.
The letter sent to the TCRC and copied to Transport Canada is
available at www.workrestandtimeoff.ca/what-are-we-doing/.
CP applied the principles of fatigue science during the
formulation of the proposed rules, which would see Canadian-based
employees move away from the currently outdated rule that allows
locomotive engineers and conductors to operate a train for up to 18
hours at their discretion. The new rules would allow unassigned
train and engine employees to operate for a maximum of 12 hours
before getting rest.
"We are committed to the health of our employees and our
operations," said CP President and Chief Operating Officer
Keith Creel. "We are requesting a
one-third reduction in the maximum operating time of unassigned
train and engine employees. As we are unable to get the TCRC
leadership to the table to have meaningful discussions on this
topic, we must find alternate ways to improve the work/life balance
of our employees while enhancing safety across our network."
CP has commenced the required consultation period in which
TCRC-Train & Engine (TCRC-T&E) leadership has until
January 7, 2017 to comment. After
they have provided comment, CP will respond and file the proposed
rule change with Transport Canada. Transport Canada will then have another 60 days to
review and either approve, conditionally approve, or reject the new
rules. A decision is expected by the spring of 2017.
"Reducing the amount of time a running-trades employee could
operate a train would be a first for a Canadian railway," Creel
said. "If the TCRC really believes in improving the working
conditions of its members and addressing so-called fatigue issues,
then I would expect them to endorse enthusiastically what we have
put on the table. This is the right thing to do."
You can learn more about CP's labour relations story at
www.workrestandtimeoff.ca, a new website that outlines
communications CP has had with the TCRC-T&E leadership and
models CP has presented. The website also dispels the many myths
and outdated perceptions concerning work and time off for train
crews at CP. CP encourages regulators, government officials,
employees and their families to visit the site. CP will, at any
time, discuss the facts around work and rest with the
Transportation Safety Board, Transport Canada and the TCRC and is
happy to do so in a public forum.
Note on forward-looking information
This news release contains certain forward-looking information
within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating, but not
limited to, our safe operations, legal and regulatory compliance,
regulatory approvals, changes to operations, labour relations,
priorities and plans, programs and strategies. This forward-looking
information also includes, but is not limited to, statements
concerning expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, objectives,
assumptions and statements about possible future events,
conditions, and results of operations or performance.
Forward-looking information may contain statements with words or
headings such as "financial expectations", "key assumptions",
"anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "will", "outlook",
"should" or similar words suggesting future outcomes.
Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking
information as actual results may differ materially from the
forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is not a
guarantee of future performance. By its nature, CP's
forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, inherent
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from the forward-looking information, including but not
limited to the following factors: changes to the key assumptions
identified above; changes in business strategies; general North
American and global economic, credit and business conditions; risks
in agricultural production such as weather conditions and insect
populations; the availability and price of energy commodities; the
effects of competition and pricing pressures; industry capacity;
shifts in market demand; changes in commodity prices; uncertainty
surrounding timing and volumes of commodities being shipped via CP;
inflation; changes in laws and regulations, including regulation of
rates; changes in taxes and tax rates; potential increases in
maintenance and operating costs; uncertainties of investigations,
proceedings or other types of claims and litigation; labour
disputes; risks and liabilities arising from derailments;
transportation of dangerous goods; timing of completion of capital
and maintenance projects; currency and interest rate fluctuations;
effects of changes in market conditions and discount rates on the
financial position of pension plans and investments; and various
events that could disrupt operations, including severe weather,
droughts, floods, avalanches and earthquakes as well as security
threats and governmental response to them, and technological
changes. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.
These and other factors are detailed from time to time in
reports filed by CP with securities regulators in Canada and the
United States. Reference should be made to "Item 1A - Risk
Factors" and "Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Forward-Looking
Information" in CP's annual and interim reports on Form 10-K and
10- Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based
on current expectations, estimates and projections and it is
possible that predictions, forecasts, projections, and other forms
of forward-looking information will not be achieved by CP. Except
as required by law, CP undertakes no obligation to update publicly
or otherwise revise any forward-looking information, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific (TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) is a transcontinental railway in
Canada and the United States with direct links to eight
major ports, including Vancouver
and Montreal, providing North
American customers a competitive rail service with access to key
markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its
customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services,
logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see
the rail advantages of CP.
SOURCE Canadian Pacific