Alberta-based Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), the single-line transnational railway linking Canada, the United States and Mexico, recently reached tentative collective bargaining agreements with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Works – Transportation Division (SMART-TD). The agreements consolidate 11 existing contracts in the company’s U.S. network into two new long-term hourly agreements that align with CPKC’s integrated North American network.
The tentative agreements are termed from 2025 to 2034 and cover approximately 1,700 train and engine (T&E) service employees in 11 states. The BLET agreement covers locomotive engineers and other T&E employees, and the SMART‑TD agreement covers conductors, brakemen and other train service employees.
“These historic tentative agreements provide long‑term labor stability while enhancing flexibility and bringing meaningful improvements in pay and quality of life for our railroaders,” Keith Creel, CPKC president and CEO, said. “Thank you to the leaders of SMART‑TD and the BLET for working with us at the bargaining table to reach this outcome that supports our railroaders and their families, while strengthening our ability to better serve our customers safely and efficiently.”
The agreements conclude negotiations for approximately 81 percent of CPKC’s U.S. T&E workforce. CPKC employs approximately 20,000 railroaders.