FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2026
IBEW and CPKC Agree to Binding Interest Arbitration; Strike to Conclude Monday
The Canadian Signals and Communications System Council No. 11 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) has signed an agreement with Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway (CPKC) to submit the outstanding issues in collective bargaining to mediation and final and binding interest arbitration.
Under a separate return-to-work agreement, the strike will conclude at 00:01 local time on Monday, August 24, 2026. All active bargaining-unit employees will return to active service without a phased or graduated recall.
“Our members stood together for nearly three months in support of meaningful improvements to their wages and working conditions,” said Jason Sommer, Senior General Chairman of IBEW System Council No. 11. “The decision to proceed to interest arbitration was not made lightly.”
The Union expressed disappointment with the length of the Canada Industrial Relations Board proceedings concerning its numerous complaints under section 94 of the Canada Labour Code. Although the Union secured an initial ruling confirming a violation by CPKC, many complaints remain unresolved.
“The absence of timely, real-time enforcement and the prolonged nature of the Board proceedings contributed to the length of this dispute and ultimately to our decision to pursue another path to resolution,” Sommer said.
The arbitration process will allow both parties to present their positions and supporting evidence to a neutral arbitrator, who will issue a final and binding decision on the outstanding terms of a new collective agreement.
Media Contact:
Jason Sommer
Senior General Chairman
IBEW System Council No. 11
613-827-4613
ibewsommer@proton.me