CALGARY, Alta. – CP Rail plans to deploy trained management employees to maintain its operations during a strike announced May 12 by the union representing its maintenance of way workers.

The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Maintenance of Way Employees Division served CP Rail with a 72-hour strike notice. When Truck News went to press, the union planned to strike at 11:59 p.m. MDT May 15, 2007.

The union represents 3,000 employees at CP who are involved in the building, inspection, and maintenance of the tracks, bridges, and structures on the network. They do not operate trains. CP’s trains will continue to operate with regular personnel.

Of the 3,000 employees, roughly 1,200 of the positions are directly involved in track maintenance, with the remainder of the employee group involved in capital projects. Also, while the union represents 3,000 members, only 2,300 are currently on active duty (as capital projects have not yet been started in earnest).

To maintain operations during the strike, CP is mobilizing 1,300 trained management employees to fill in for the1,200 employees which directly maintain track. Capital projects will be deferred during the strike.