Messages
from other Unions
June
15, 2007
Brothers and Sisters,
As we return to work after the strike, there have been numerous
reports of vandalism and damage to company vehicles and tools
which occurred while we were on strike. These range from garbage
purposely dumped on floors and in vehicles to the high rail brakes
on BTMF trucks being broken off, and just about everything in
between. There is no doubt that there will be a high cost to the
company for the abuse that the tools and equipment suffered and
to prevent any blame being put on our membership, I encourage
everyone to keep proper documentation of anything found that occurred
while we were off.
We also had a company manager supply us with a printout of all
replacement workers in NOSA (and we have been promised the other
districts as well). We cross referenced all the names and found
that only one rank and file member crossed the line in this territory.
There were numerous supervisors, from Engineering and other departments,
and many names that we have no record of ... but only one person
who was an active dues paying member. I agree that one is way
to many, however it is a lot less than some company officers were
purporting.
Brothers and sisters, I realize that this strike was hard on all
of us and is continuing to be hard on some as the return to work
is going slower than anyone would like. But there is a point here
that you should all be proud of. We went on strike and avoided
back to work legislation, returning to the table and negotiated
a deal. A far better deal than the company's final offer.
The government's only involvement was arranging and mediating
the meeting between the parties. This is historic for rail unions.
This contract is far from what we deserved or tried for, but it
is also miles away from what the company kept pushing, right up
to their final offer of March 23rd. We gained much more than the
company had previously wanted to give. And it was your pressure
and your determination that got us there. The bargaining committee,
as good a job as they did, were only the voice... you were the
muscle.
The wage package (with co-pay) that we settled for is within 'the
pattern' that the company negotiated with other Unions, but the
similarity stops there. This is our contract, not any other Union's
and we negotiated it for us. We fought for it. Other Unions did
give up huge work rule changes for 'the pattern', but you have
to remember, they did not suffer a strike. We didn't have to give
ground on our seniority, assembly points and quality of life issues
... but as I said, we did have to fight. And we have accomplished
what, at times, seemed impossible. A negotiated settlement. We
kept our pride, our dignity and our self respect, as well as our
work rules.
I have seen the company report recently that the strike was unnecessary.
Obviously, you did not think so... when you gave an 80% strike
mandate after seeing what turned out to be their final offer (March
23). This same offer was posted and critiqued on the company website
and they boasted how it was a good offer, equal to what other
bargaining units got.
However, the deal that was signed on June 6, 2007 is posted on
our website along with the March 23rd offer, for comparison. Anyone
can see the vast differences and the multiple improvements present
in the June 6th deal. Aside from the multiple monetary increases
(apart from wages) and favourable work rule changes, are the noticeable
absences of the company's work rule demands (expanded and flexible
seniority territories, assembly points etc.). If the company had
intended to go to these places without a strike, you have to ask
yourself why they didn't give a formal response indicating this.
After all, we kept requesting one and even revised our own demands
twice after their March 23rd offer.
If they now say the strike was unnecessary, I hope the shareholders,
potential investors and/or the Board of Directors are asking the
serious questions about what kind of strategy this management
team was playing and why. If the strike could have been avoided
by giving us the deal that we just signed, then why didn't they
offer that deal in response to the Union's May 8th document? Why
would any company force a strike, then settle for much more than
their final offer? I guess these questions are purely academic
because, I believe that, we already know the answers.
Anyway, I have attached a couple of messages that I have recieved
from other bargaining unit members. They say it much better than
I could.
Stay safe, stay strong, stay united,
Bill Brehl
President
TCRC MWED
----------------------------------------------------
President Brehl,
You may not remember me but we talked in 2005. I called you to
see how I could sign a Teamster card. I voted against the contract
that my UNion sent to me. As a 17 year CPRail employee in the
signals department, I had seen many contracts and this was the
worst. I just want to tell you that your members did the right
thing standing up to CPR. I wish that our Union had let us or
that you would let us join the Teamsters. You should be proud
of your members in ----------------------. I hated having to cross
their picket line, but I supported them everyway that I could.
The scabs that were out here were all like little kids and had
no concern with getting the job done. They jsut acted like it
was big joke and complained about the work.
You people have shown us that we do not have to accept whatever
is thrown at us. We have changed our leadership and I am hoping
that Brian will work with you to make sure that all of us get
better deals in the future. Do you know Brian? Have you changed
your mind about signing us up?
Sincerely,
(IBEW member)
----------------------------------------------------
Bill Brehl,
Allright Teamsters!!! Man, you guys ran a great picket line. Everyday
I would show up for my eight hours and everyday I would only have
to work four or less. I wish I could have been standing side by
side with those guys especially when ---------------- was there.
What a team. I remember our strike at CN and it was ugly. Our
contract is up this year and we will be bargaining in the fall,
I hope you and our leadership are working together because we
are ready to walk out to. I read your MOS on the site and it looks
good to an outsider. Am I reading it right that if you have scheduled
weekends in a shift, you get an additional 15.5% on every hour
of the whole week? If that's correct, we have to get that because
I've been working weekends for years without anything extra.
I am a loyal CAW member and am proud of my union but I know that
we all have to work together to get the best deals. Unions should
not fight against each other we should fight together. You Teamsters
have my respect.
Fraternaly,
(CAW member)
----------------------------------------------------
TCRC MWED:
Give em shit. We're proud of you.
(USW member CN)
