TCRC MWED Ready to strike on CPR

In 2007, CPRail is enjoying record profits and a economic prosperity that they have never known.

President and CEO, Fred Green: In 2005, Mr. Green took in a total package of $3,874,563.00. In 2006, this package went up to $4,738,302.00. That is an increase of $863,739.00 or 22.2%. If Mr. Green had stuck to the "pattern" of 3% for 2006, his increase would only have been $116,236.89. A hefty sum, but obviously not enough considering the profits that CPRail is making. Mr. Green recently said that CPR could run without the maintenance of way department. The derailments that endanger the lives and property of Canadians do not seem to be a very large concern to him.

Vice President of Operations, Brock Winters: In 2005, Brock's total package was $749,277.00. In 2006, this went up to $1,404,595.00, an increase of $655,318.00 or 87.4%. If Mr. Winter had only received a 3% increase, he would have got a raise of only $22,478.00. But the percentage wage increase that he tells us is “fair”, is no way near good enough for him.

It seems that the wage increases enjoyed by management are not subject to any control other than greed.

The rich get richer while their employees are told to make concessions and the track continues to fall apart.

Why we are ON STRIKE
We are the men and women who build, maintain and inspect CPRail’s track, bridges and structures. This is a responsibility that has become harder and harder with a smaller workforce and a minimum of material to properly repair and strengthen the right of way.

CPRail has been making record profits and putting record amounts in their management’s pockets instead of investing back into the labour force and the track itself.

We deserve a decent wage, we deserve decent benefits, we deserve to be supplied with proper protective work clothes while handling the contaminants and carcinogens rampant on the track. We deserve a decent quality of life with our families and not spend our ‘rest days’ driving thousands of kms to report for work (on our own time and own dime) each week.

CPRail refused to bargain fairly. They came to the table unprepared to bargain and told us that we were only entitled to the same ‘pattern’ contract package that was bargained in 2005 by a different union. No explanations, no rationale…just ‘take it or leave it’.

And we were told that we would have to make massive health and welfare benefit changes, as well as work rule concessions just to take this sub standard “package”.

We say “NO!!”. We say that we deserve better, that the public deserves better.

We want a fair and equitable wage. We want a safe workplace with a proper sized work force and the material to bring the track back up to par. We want to enjoy our time off with our families and we want to be able to enjoy our pension knowing that our loved ones are provided for. We have worked hard for this and we deserve it.