Government wants quick resolution to CP Rail work stoppage, labour minister says

The work stoppage at CP Rail could not have come at a worse time for Canadians and the government wants a deal to end the impasse immediately, said federal Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan.

But O'Regan was not ready to discuss the possibility of back to work legislation being tabled when the House of Commons resumes Monday because the company and union are still talking.

"We want a resolution and we want it now," O'Regan said in an interview Sunday afternoon.

CP Rail shut down Canadian operations Sunday after a work stoppage began just before midnight. More than 3,000 conductors, engineers, train and yard workers were picketing Sunday.

The company and Teamsters Canada Rail Conference started negotiating a new contract last September. The union said the main issues are wages, pensions and working conditions including not being forced to take federally mandated reset days away from home.