Management attempting Bargaining Unit work

February 14th, 2007

Brothers and Sisters,

The following appeared on CBC today and makes a very telling statement.

All of you have heard the statements made by CPRail supervisors that they are ready, willing and able to replace us out on the track if there is a strike/lockout. Not only do their ignorant and inflammatory comments strengthen our resolve to have them removed permanently from our seniority lists, the incidents at CN show just what happens when you put management out there actually doing some work. Or trying to.

We all saw the mishaps and circus antics of the replacement workers the last time we were on strike. From the brush fire down in Lethbridge started by inexperienced people cutting rails (we have video of them all running away that looks like something from the Benny Hill show) to the gasoline added to diesel engines and vice versa to the videos of them high rail roaring through crossings at track speed without even slowing, let alone stopping, and insuring the safety. Luckily no one was seriously hurt or killed and its my belief that if we hadn't been legislated back to work when we were, that possibility might very well have become a reality. God help everyone if we are forced into the same situation again, with the present track conditions and the volume of trains they are running.

Hunter Harrison did state that CN would conduct 'business as usual' during the UTU strike, and after watching the W-five expose on Canadian railway safety, maybe these latest derailments are just that.... business as usual for CN.

The work that is done by the Unionized employees on Canadian railways is serious business. We are the professionals. In my opinion, if management feels compelled to play at railroading, let them buy a Lionel train set. Then they can put on their striped overalls and in the safety of their own basements they can ring the bells and blow the whistles to their heart's content, without endangering themselves and everyone else.

But for the safety of everyone involved including the public, they must leave railroading to professional railroaders.

Our thoughts and support are still with the UTU in their struggle against corporate greed and their efforts to improve the safety of Canada's railways.

In solidarity,

Bill Brehl
President
TCRC MWED