CPRail affected by UTU strike on CN

February 16, 2007

Brothers and Sisters,

The accompanying article goes to show that CN is not able to do "business as usual" as they have bragged. Their "rent a conductors" and scab supervisors just can't keep up. Not only has the safety of their operations dropped with numerous derailments, they are also losing business and causing disruption to other companies.

"Force majeure" is a French term literally translated as "greater force", this clause is included in contracts to remove liability for natural and unavoidable catastrophes that interrupt the expected course of events and restrict participants from fulfilling obligations.

This strike is affecting every aspect of CN's business. Its public relations people are desperately trying to spin out fictional reasons why a company that made over a billion and a half in revenue in 2006 is busy trying to "nickel and dime" its employees. Customers are seeing that the greed and intransigence of CN is costing them delays in deliveries and are beginning to wonder why they would pay the exorbitant dollars to this corporation that cannot even negotiate a fair and equitable contract. The public is worried that the already dangerous rail transport has become even more so with inexperienced scabs working safety critical positions. And the problems just continue to increase.

You often hear supervisors and managers spout off that "No one wins in a strike!!!" The fact of the matter is that the company, and in effect these same mouthy supervisors, win big when a Union and its membership accepts sub standard wages. It leaves more money for them to stuff in their pockets and then rub your noses in it.

I received word today that a supervisor on a NOSA TP&E crew was bragging up his bonus cheque this year. It seems that he received just under $20,000.00. That's a 20K bonus on top of his wages and other perks!! Now look at your "goalshare" cheque. Was it close to $20,000.00? I didn't think so. But if you're lucky you'll have some manager or VP give you a hamburger.

CPRail advertised that they made over 45% profit increase in 2006. Yet what do we get offered for a wage increase? 3%, that's what. While their supervisor's brag about getting an almost $20,000.00 bonus. I'm sorry Brothers and Sisters, but it gets me angry.

Stay safe, stay strong, stay united.

Bill Brehl
President
TCRCMWED



CP Rail declares force majeure at Vancouver port
Fri Feb 16, 2007 3:12 PM EST

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Reuters) - Canadian Pacific Railway declared force majeure on shipments to some terminals at the Pacific port of Vancouver because of traffic snarls related to a strike at Canadian National Railway Co., shippers said on Friday.

Problems with shipments to and from the north shore of Vancouver's Burrard Inlet were beyond CP Rail's control, it said in a memo sent to shippers declaring force majeure on contracts starting on February 14.

"Interchange traffic and co-production with CN on the north shore is not moving smoothly and has been experiencing congestion related to events beyond CPR's reasonable control, including the strike by conductors employed by the CN," the memo said.

Officials from Canadian Pacific were not available for comment.

The terminals at Vancouver's north shore handle grain, chemicals, wood products and fertilizers. Owners include the Canadian division of Dow Chemical Co. as well as Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, Canada's No. 2 grain shipper.

Canadian National has been using managers to try to keep trains running, but chemical companies and the Canadian Wheat Board have complained about slow-downs and asked the federal government to step in to end the strike.