16 December 2008
Temporary Layoffs at CP Affect About 100 in Revelstoke
Revelstoke British Columbia - About 100 CP Rail employees
in the Revelstoke have been or will soon be temporarily laid off.
"There have been some of our employees impacted by temporary layoffs in the Revelstoke area," says CP spokesperson Breanne
Feigel.
She says the layoffs start in two phases. The first was on 15 Dec 2008 and the second will start on
22 Dec 2008. She says those affected are primarily engineers and some mechanical employees. In addition, about 100 CP
Rail employees in the Golden area will also be laid off temporarily.
Feigel says the total length of the layoff is as of yet unknown, but it is anticipated to be a short-term. "That
answer is anywhere from a couple of weeks or more. I don't have a specific answer for you, but they will be brought back to work
gradually," saying it will be based on customer volume.
She anticipates that all employees will be back. "That is the plan, yes," she says, adding that the layoffs are driven by a
lack of customer demand specific to the region in B.C.
Wally Thacker, Local Chairman for Teamsters Canada Rail Conference says the total number of layoffs in Revelstoke is 97. He says this
includes running trades employees and maintenance staff.
He says one of the main reasons for the decrease in rail traffic is the temporary closure of several Teck Cominco coal mines in the
Sparwood area. "That's definitely going to affect our numbers because coal is a big part of the business," he says. "I
believe starting on 4 Jan 2009 they're going to be bringing the coal mines back on line. As far as understanding, we
understand the economic position the company is in. Whether we agree or disagree, we understand the position the company is in."
Thacker says when the economy picks up, CPR will pick up, adding that he company is affected by current economic conditions just like
any other big company. "But when the coal comes back, a majority of the layoffs that they've made will be called back, I believe.
We're hopeful."
He says the union has also been in touch with employment services in Revelstoke to make their members aware of other opportunities in
the meantime.
Bill Brehl, president of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, Maintenance of Way Employees Division says 47 members of the
maintenance division have been cut across the country, but none in the Revelstoke area to date. He says he didn't have a breakdown of
where all of the individual positions were located, but he said they were all temporary three-month layoffs.
"At this point in time we don't believe layoffs are necessary in the maintenance division," he says, adding he felt the
winter season brings the most challenging safety conditions meaning staff levels should be preserved. He also said that CP continues
to turn a profit, saying he didn't believe cuts were necessary at this point. "My main concern is the safety of the track out
there," he said.
|
