Kaplan named federal arbitrator for CP Rail labour dispute

Back-to-work legislation allowed federal appointee to decide settlement in 90 days

The Canadian Press

Posted: Jul 20, 2012 2:02 PM ET

Last Updated: Jul 20, 2012 1:54 PM ET

Strikers picket in front of Canadian Pacific's Alyth Yard in Calgary on May 23. The Harper government's back-to-work legislation gave it the power to appoint arbitrator William Kaplan to decide on a settlement in the labour dispute within 90 days. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)

The federal government has named a veteran labour trouble shooter as the arbitrator in the labour dispute between CP Rail and its employees.

William Kaplan has served as an arbitrator or mediator in a host of disputes since 1989.

The government moved quickly to end a strike by 48-hundred engineers and conductors last May by passing back-to-work legislation.

The legislation also allowed the government to appoint an arbitrator who will decide on a settlement within 90 days.

The back-to-work bill angered both the union and opposition critics who said it short-circuited any chance of the two sides working out a deal alone.

But the governing Conservatives made no apologies, saying the strike at the rail company was affecting the economy.

The Harper government has intervened in a number of high-profile labour disputes in the past year, notably at Canada Post and Air Canada.

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