16 April 2007
CP Rail Workers Have Teamster Support on Both Sides of the Border
Washington District of Columbia USA - Canadian Pacific Railway
workers in Canada can expect the full support of their Teamster brothers and sisters in the United States for union job actions on CP
pledged Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. The Canadian Pacific is currently in federal mediation for contract negotiations with
maintenance of way workers in Canada.
"Since 2005, when the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWED) voted to merge with the Teamsters Union, we have had a
strong and supportive role in helping protect wages and benefits for rail workers throughout the United States and Canada," Hoffa
said. "This is a difficult time for our maintenance of way employees of Canadian Pacific Rail. (Editor's note: This is NOT the
correct name for the Canadian Pacific Railway.) If a job action, such as a strike, is decided on as a means to achieving a good
settlement, we fully support that decision."
Bob Bouvier, President of Teamsters Canada and International Vice President, said to the workers: "No matter how hard you
have worked and bargained in good faith, the employer must also be reasonable for the parties to reach an agreement. Though I am
hopeful that a strike can be avoided, rest assured that all of Teamsters Canada will be there to assist you if necessary."
The BMWED represents about 1,000 employees of CP in the United States, on the Soo Line, and Delaware & Hudson railroads. The BMWED
is a division of the Teamsters Rail Conference.
"Across the country, we are ready to support our brothers and sisters on CP in Canada," said Mark Wimmer, General Chairman of
the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific System Federation, a subdivision of the BMWED that represents Soo Line members. "It
could be a tough fight, but we are ready."
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters was founded in 1903 and represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women through out North
America.
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