Canadian Pacific Railway Employee Job Reviews in the United States

"CP Rail is proud of the way they over work and exploit their staff. Being white collar, management, in head office or anyone in a salaried position means you will be expected to be working around the clock. You will be on call 24/7, you will get a steady stream of calls and emails around the clock and the expectation is that you will drop everything and address every single one of them the moment you get them, say goodbye to a full nights sleep because missing a call will be punished. Also I was and you will be deployed to work in rail yards regardless of your actual job. The work will be grueling, you will not be payed more. This happens regularly with a several week rotation but it can also happen at any time depending on the labour needs and what's going on with the union. Salaried workers don't have the same rights and protections as the union workers, so while working in the train yards your shifts will often be 12+ hours long because they know they don't have to pay you over time and use you strategically to save labour costs. Raises/annual increases are so low it's insulating. I left CP because after 3 years of exceeding my annual goals and winning a CEO award I was given 2.5% increase in my salary and told I should be extremely grateful because it was more than everyone else got. I told them it was insulting and technical with inflation I was getting an annual pay cut, they doubled down on reminding me it was more than everyone else got. The health benefits are pitiful and hardly cover anything. The pay is extremely low relative to what other companies pay for very similar jobs. This feels extra low because of being on call 24/7 and being deployed to work in train yards. Working on the technical side is painful, I spent years just trying to get them to provide a computer that was capable of doing my job."

"The pay is very good but, the work/life balance is non existent. Management is actively looking for someone to fire and is a very hostile work environment."

"Good company, good health plans and room for raises and movement in the company."

"I've been with CP for over 33 years. In the last few I've seen a huge shift in morale, attitudes and policy. What was once a good employer who recognized the need for employees on 24/7 call to need some time off has become a tyrant. Requests for time off for things like milestone birthdays and anniversaries, weddings and family gatherings are routinely denied. Management has taken to using intimidation and threats of discipline to get employees to violate laws and rules. Good, long term employees are quitting or being fired at an incredible rate. The company won't even negotiate with train crews for a new contract unless we first agree to give up our right to rest over 10 hrs at home. I see everything from respect for employees to safety sacrificed for share price. Where once I enjoyed coming to work, now I can only mark time until retirement and wonder if it's my turn next to be dismissed for some trivial reason. I live and work in a culture of fear."

"I learned a lot about payroll in 12 years working at the Canadian Pacific Railway."

What do you like about working at Canadian Pacific Railway?

"The flex time. The independence, ability to work on my own using my sound judgement and ability to make my own decisions."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"If you don't have any problem with not being supported and appreciated for your efforts, then definitely apply."

What don't you like about working at Canadian Pacific Railway?

"Even though it is a union shop, management doesn't have any protection. My new boss doesn't back you up or offer support. You''re hanging out there on your own."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Further management training or replacement. Your employees are an asset. Treat everyone with respect and make sure others do also."

What do you like about working at Canadian Pacific Railway?

"Contract work that was to be only for one year, but kept renewing for thirteen year+. They like my work training and contract management skills."

What do you like about working at Canadian Pacific Railway?

"I was able (through my own actions) to learn ALL of the aspects of how a railroad operates, cross function all the departments, employees who performed those duties, and understand how a company really operates. It was a GREAT learning experience."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Know that if you start at an early age, that this is going to be your profession all your life until you retire, otherwise, your benefits when you retire, that the Carrot dangling in front of you will not be attained. You must stay until retirement, (if you live that long) in order to reap the benefits you have put in all that time."

What don't you like about working at Canadian Pacific Railway?

"There are some talented people that worked for the railroad, however, if they didn't know someone, or a relative of someone, who was upper management, or deserved a promotion, they would not get it. The promotion would go to a relative of someone within the organization. Too Bad."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Give the promotions to people who have worked hard and deserve the promotion, and that would make the railroad operate better and larger profits. Instead they put people in positions, that are not experienced in the tasks at hand, just that they know someone higher up."

"Adequate and needed."

What do you like about working at Canadian Pacific Railway?

"Pay and benefits."

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Ask many questions."

What don't you like about working at Canadian Pacific Railway?

"Position was eliminated."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Be more honest with employees during transition."

"This is cool stuff!"

What do you like about working at Canadian Pacific Railway?

"Camaraderie"

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Keep an open mind."

What don't you like about working at Canadian Pacific Railway?

"Constant battle between union and management"

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Recall what it was like to be on the other side."

"Great company, If your not train crew."

What do you like about working at Canadian Pacific Railway?

"Great pay and benefits"

Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?

"Safety, Safety, Safety!!"

What don't you like about working at Canadian Pacific Railway?

"You work off the Xtra board or you get forced assigned until you get enough seniority to hold a job.It can take months or more likely years."

What suggestions do you have for management?

"Please don't hire a class until you get the new work."

"Overall satisfied."

What do you like about working at Canadian Pacific Railway?

"I like the challenges I'm faced with everyday."