October 20th Update

October 20, 2006

Brothers and Sisters,

I realize that many of you at CPRail are wondering about the company's "Global" offer. It was presented to us on Monday October 16th, 2006. Without going into the details, I can tell you that it was unacceptable (as was expected). We met with VP's Winters and Shields,as well as AVP Wilson, last night to voice some concerns and discuss where we go from here. At present we are waiting on their response.

The TCRC (running trades) have been in negotiations with CPR all this week and will be back in bargaining, same as us, the week of October 30th. We are planning on meeting between sessions.

In a phone call earlier this week, Brother Mark Wimmer of the SOO line (CPRail property headquartered in Minneapolis, MN) and I discussed how their bargaining was progressing. He has suggested since both of us were in bargaining presently that we should co ordinate and exchange information of a mutually beneficial nature. I fully agree and am also seeking to do the same with Brother Don Griffin, the TRC BMWED negotiator presently bargaining on the D&H, another CP property.

Negotiations on the SOO line are next scheduled for November 14 & 15 in Minneapolis and he has invited me to join his team at the table.

On the evening of Wednesday October 18th, lodge 167 (Calgary) had a special meeting so that they could speak to your negotiating team, as we are here at negotiations. For over three hours we discussed the contract, the demands, the company's offer, our strategies and our pensions. It was an extremely lively and helpful meeting and our whole team left there revitalized and strong. The Unity, solidarity, focus and support was amazing. I want to thank the lodge for that and look forward to the meetings coming up at other lodges, where we can get together and do the same.

Today, we are headed towards Bear Creek (halfway between Golden and Revelstoke, BC) for tomorrow's memorial service in honour of Bob Martin. Bob was our brother, who was taken from us while on duty, last December in a tragic accident in the MacDonald tunnel. I will carry your sympathies and best wishes for Bob's family and will be thinking of all of you while I am there.

Stay safe. Not for the company's sake... not for goal share or statistics or coupons for Canadian Tire. And not even only for yourself. Stay safe for your family and your friends. Fatality free railroading is possible. But nobody is going to do it for us, we have to take care of ourselves.

Tomorrow I will be surrounded by friends who I have worked with and known for decades. We will be remembering and saying goodbye to one of our own. And we will be united in one thought and one prayer....please.. Dear God.. let this be the last one of these that we attend.

Fraternally,

Bill Brehl
President
TCRC MWED