April 26, 2024 – Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) is preparing for the possibility of a strike by some 3,300 workers next month. "From my perspective, the positions haven’t changed much," President and CEO Keith Creel told analysts on a conference call Wednesday. Obviously, you have to hope for the best, but you also have to make sure you plan for the worst." While 6,000 Canadian National Railway (CN) workers are also in talks with their employer, there is a possibility of two rail work stoppages this spring, which combined could paralyze virtually all freight rail traffic in Canada. In February, the CPKC and CN called on the federal Minister of Labour to appoint a conciliator for the process of negotiating a new collective agreement for conductors, engineers and yard workers. The Notice of Dispute has set the legal stage for a possible strike or lockout, which could occur as early as May 22.