CP contract talks break down

April 28th, 2007

Brothers and Sisters,

I regret to inform you that the talks between CPRail and the TCRC MWED have broken down. We had been meeting with them everyday since April 18th trying to negotiate a settlement. Though the talks were informal, I believe that they were productive . Regional Director of the Federal Mediation Services, Bill Lewis was mediating and I was guardedly hopeful.

However, at 18:50 tonight we were told that the company will absolutely not move off their 'pattern' on wages and co pay.

Therefore, we are going home tomorrow and no dates for further negotiations have been set. I've been on the road since April 15th and this is the second weekend we've worked, so I am going to take a day off and get prepared for the next step.

I have done everything that I could reasonably do to get you a fair and equitable contract, but it has not been achieved. However, to get a fair negotiated settlement, both parties have to be willing and for all their talk about negotiation, it has been clearly "take it or leave it" with the company, from the start.

I'll keep this short for now but will be updating you soon. We have signed an agreement with the company that the collective agreement will stay in effect until strike or lockout notice is served. We have not served strike notice, but I will let you know immediately when that decision is made.

Stay safe, stay strong, stay united.

Bill Brehl
President
TCRC MWED