Canadian Pacific locomotives at rest - Date/Photographer unknown.

1 August 2012

The Mediator Has Insisted That All Talks Are Confidential

Calgary Alberta - All TCRC Local Chairs CPR Eastern and Western Regions:
 
As mentioned in Bulletin 19, the Honorable Lisa Raitt, Labour Minister, appointed Mr. William Kaplan as the arbitrator in our dispute with Canadian Pacific. The appointment was effective 19 Jul 2012.
 
With the assistance and presence of our legal counsel, Michael Church from the firm of Caley Wray, your Bargaining Committee met with Mr. Kaplan 26 to 28 Jul 2012 in Calgary. At this phase of the Mediation and Arbitration process, Mr. Kaplan is attempting to mediate the dispute and get the parties to agree on a mutually acceptable and negotiated contract.
 
There were very little face to face sessions with the Company during this phase as the positions of both parties were made clear during our previous bargaining sessions. The Mediator is making a concerted effort to understand those issues and move the parties toward common ground and ultimately a negotiated contract.
 
The Mediator has insisted that all talks are confidential and both parties are not to discuss specifics of the discussions. We must respect his authority and will not be publishing any details of our discussions with Mr. Kaplan or the Company. We have agreed to meet again 1 to 3 Sep 2012 in Toronto.
 
Obviously, a negotiated contract remains our goal and in the best interest of our membership however, if through the mediation process that is not achieved, we are prepared to argue our position at arbitration. The TCRC National Office and Teamsters Canada are fully committed to offer ongoing assistance and support.
 
We again thank the Local Chairs for their ongoing assistance and the membership for their overwhelming support in this struggle with the employer.
 
In Solidarity,
 
Dave Able - General Chairman LE West;
 
Dave Olson - General Chairman CTY West;
 
Benoit Brunet - General Chairman LE East;
 
Bruce Hiller - General Chairman CTY East;
 
Shelly Brownlee - General Chairman RTC.