Dear Bill

These talks have been weighing heavy on all the men and women's minds, it is scary as a wife to know that this bothers them so, they are not and can not think straight. Fred Greens comments are the hot topic i think most of the men realize that his comments are based on ignorance; he has no idea what they do on a daily bases. As a wife of a grade one maintainer my husband is called out from home just as supper is to be served then my 15 month old son and I are eating alone it is frustrating but I have accepted this way of life. He has been gone to derailments for days working all hours of the night to get the job done so the company doesn't lose any money with delayed trains. Without the maitenance employees how do they plan on doing that.

Fred does not even realize the consequences to his comments even if a strike is averted he has metaphorically spit on the maitenance employees; that will always be at the back of there minds how can some one give it there all knowing that the president of the company they work for thinks they are worthless. In my opinion knowing what my husband does and others like him the demands that the union have asked for are not outrageous they deserve even more then that but we must work towards making it better a little at a time. The company does not want to give but they don't mind taking how would fred like to either take a cut in his package or no increase then maybe the company could afford to pay and treat their employees the blood and sweat of the company (so they say) a little better. It is very obvious that the company thinks they can do it without the maitenance employees lets see them try; it might work for a little while but it will catch up to them then fred will eat his comment. The men will continue to work as long as you don't give the strike notice which is great for the company, just get it over with and give the notice. It's sad that it has to come down to this and many families will suffer including mine but the company doesn't care to move any further so lets stand united.

- A concerned wife

I have removed her name, as we do not want any repercussions visited upon her or her husband because she spoke honestly and from her heart. I realize the frustration out there and that all of you are feeling as she does. I have even received calls from members stating that they voted "no" on the strike vote, but after Green's comments, wish they had of voted "Yes".

We are giving them one last 'kick at the can' today, and that will be it. They will have to live with the consequences.

Thank you for all your support and assistance and thank you to Fred Green for telling us how you really feel. A lot of us already knew it, but you have managed to convince the rest.

Stay strong, stay proud, stay united

Bill Brehl
President
TCRC MWED