Canadian Pacific (CP) has notified 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.
Under current rules, Canadian-based locomotive engineers and conductors are allowed to operate a train for up to 18 hours at their discretion. CP applied the principles of fatigue science during the formulation of its proposed rules, which 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 Keith Creel, CP president and chief operating officer. “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,” added Creel.
TCRC-Train & Engine leadership has until January 7, 2017, to comment on CP’s proposal, after which CP will respond and file the proposed rule change with Transport Canada. Transport Canada will 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 concluded. “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.”
CP has launched a new web site that outlines communications CP has had with the TCRC-T&E leadership and models CP has presented. CP has stated that it 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.