Kaplan Supplemental
Kaplan Initial Final Terminal Supplemental Award
The following arbitration award from Arbitrator William Kaplan provides important guidance on the continued application and enforcement of the Conductor Only provisions contained in the collective agreement between CPKC and the TCRC. The decision addresses a series of lead grievances concerning work performed by Conductor Only crews at initial and final terminals, and whether those assignments violated the limits negotiated under Article 67.02 of the collective agreement.
This award builds on the original 2020 consent awards and confirms that the protections negotiated by the union continue to apply where Conductor Only crews are directed to perform work beyond what is permitted under the agreement. Arbitrator Kaplan reaffirmed that grievances which are “substantially similar” to the original lead cases may be resolved using the same principles and remedies, helping provide further direction on outstanding and future disputes. The decision also reinforces the importance of respecting the negotiated limits on switching, set-offs, spotting, and handling work unrelated to a crew’s own train.
