15 June 2007
Messages from Other Unions
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 23 Mar 2007. 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 (23 Mar 2007). 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 6 Jun 2007 is posted on our website along with the 23 Mar 2007 offer,
for comparison. Anyone can see the vast differences and the multiple improvements present in the 6 Jun 2007 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 23 Mar 2007 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 8 May 2007 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
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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 CP Rail 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 just
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)
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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)
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