Teamsters Union Releases Shocking Video Footage of Picket Line Arrests by CP Rail Police Force

May 31, 2007

Labour leaders join Teamsters in condemning the company's actions and demand a public inquiry

Vancouver, BC - The union representing striking railway maintenance workers at CP Rail is taking legal action against the company, after six Teamsters Canada members were confronted by CP's private police force and arrested for alleged "mischief" while walking a legal picket line in Coquitlam on Tuesday night.

Bill Brehl, the President of Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, Maintenance of Way Employees Division, says the arrests were completely unprovoked and unnecessarily violent. "We have the whole thing on video. All the members were peacefully picketing between the lines of a public crosswalk in front of CPR property. The CPR police came in force and told them to move along or they would arrest them. Then they almost immediately began dragging them off the picket line and handcuffing them. The video has sound and none of the members were belligerent or offered resistance. However, there is one officer who forcibly wrenches a member's arm way up at an unnatural angle and then viciously kicks him to the ground. It is horrible to watch."

The graphic video footage, released at a news conference in Vancouver today, outraged BC Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair. Sinclair is calling for a public inquiry into the special powers granted to private police forces that are being used by an increasing number of companies across the country. "This is not just a labour issue. It's an attack on the rights and freedoms union members and all Canadian citizens have fought long and hard to achieve" says Sinclair.

International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada President Tom Dufresne expresses the same concern and calls the actions of CPR "appalling."

The Teamsters Union is filing a civil lawsuit against CPR on behalf of its members for false arrest, false imprisonment, assault and battery and unlawful interference with charter rights. The union will also be in BC Supreme Court next week (June 7th) for an injunction application against CP Rail and CP Police, and in front of the Canada Labour Relations Board tomorrow (Friday, June 1st) to make an unfair labour practices complaint. Both actions are aimed at preventing the company from further intimidation and harassment of picketing union members.

The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, Maintenance of Way Employees Division has been lawfully on strike against CP Rail since May 15, 2007.




MEDIA CONTACTS:

Bill Brehl, Teamsters Canada (cell) 519-819-1530
Leanne Yuzwa, West Star Communications (cell) 604-317-8002