TORONTO—Train conductors and engineers went on strike at Canadian Pacific Railway late Tuesday night, stranding large volumes of commodities and manufactured goods that are shipped across North America by the country’s second-largest railroad.
A spokesman for Canadian Pacific said efforts are ongoing Wednesday morning to reach a new contract as the railway remained in discussions with Teamsters Canada, the union representing striking workers.
The railroad was unable to forge an agreement for about 3,000 train conductors and engineers by a strike deadline late Tuesday night, when workers walked off their jobs. The company did, however, reach an 11th-hour deal on a tentative, new three-year contract Tuesday night with another union that represents nearly 400 electrical workers.
The breakdown followed months of negotiations. The union has said it is seeking benefit increases and more predictable work schedules for workers.