A steam locomotive engineer looks at the track ahead - 7 May 2011 Jeremy Clifton.

2 April 2012

TCRC - CP Negotiation Bulletin No. 9

Montreal Quebec - All TCRC Local Chairs CPR Eastern and Western Regions:
 
27 to 30 Mar 2012, your Bargaining Committee, accompanied by Sisters S. Brownlee and K. Essery of the TCRC-RCTC General Committee met with the Company in the presence of Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS) in Montreal.
 
Despite this assistance within the conciliation process we haven't made much progress other than finally exposing the real intent of the Company in regards to their pension demand. We can now confirm, and the Company has admitted that, their real issue is not simply to look forward to address their pension concern but to also devalue your past service, and then limit the value of your future service to replicate the CN Pension levels.
 
The present investor fight with the Company is affecting Collective Bargaining. The management fight for shareholder support includes reducing your pension. At the same time senior management is seeking your support to their slate through personal mailings and are making presentations to other shareholders boasting about how well they are doing and how well they will continue to do. Recognition of the hard working employees is noticeably absent.
 
Your negotiating committee is outraged by the way the Company is acting in the present negotiations. We have demonstrated that we are serious about negotiating an agreement but feel the Company has not. However, since the date we filed charges to the CIRB we have received almost all of the information we had requested and there is very little information left for them to supply.
 
We continue to be committed to negotiating an agreement and will meet the Company again beginning 16 Apr 2012, with the assistance of the conciliators.
 
We also continue to meet with Teamsters Canada and appreciate their ongoing assistance, as well as our pension actuaries and other professionals that are assisting us as necessary. Your continued support and understanding is appreciated and your Bargaining Committee remains committed to negotiating an agreement that you will find acceptable.
 
The strike ballots have been circulated and we urge everyone to cast their vote and to demonstrate your solidarity in this fight to protect your working conditions, pensions, and wages. If you do not receive a strike ballot, please contact your Division Secretary Treasurer, who will in turn contact the Calgary Office to have one sent to you.
 
Your Bargaining Committee will keep you informed on any further developments.
 
In Solidarity,
 
Dave Able - General Chairman LE West.
 
Dave Olson - General Chairman CTY West.
 
Benoit Brunet - General Chairman LE East.
 
Bruce Hiller - General Chairman CTY East.