CN Strike Ruled Legal By CIRB

Monday, February 19, 2007 10:50 PM

pickets remain up overnight, as negotiations are set to resume in the morning

According to the United Transporation Union, the Canadian Industrial Relations Board has ruled a strike by its members at CN Rail legal and pickets remain in place with the full support of UTU President Paul Thompson.

Approximately 28-hundred conductors and yard-service workers have been off the job since February 10th.

According to the union’s website, "Canadian vice presidents John Armstrong and Robert Sharpe now head the UTU negotiating team, and are scheduled to meet Feb. 20 (tomorrow) in Montreal with railroad negotiators as well as Canada’s Labour Minister, Jean-Pierre Blackburn, and the government’s chief labor negotiator, Elizabeth MacPherson."

The two UTU reps were voted to head the talks after a decision earlier today to remove four Canadian general chairpersons from office. The union says the four engaged in an unauthorized strike against CN and further engaged in dual unionism by attempting to negotiate a merger with the Teamsters, both of which are in violation of the UTU Constitution.

"Mr. (John) Armstrong and Mr. (Robert) Sharpe have stepped into the shoes of the removed general chairpersons," says union president Paul Thompson, "They are now in charge. I have spoken with them. They are following the UTU Constitution, and I fully support their actions, which include keeping pickets up at CN facilities."

"It is truly unfortunate that our UTU members were given to suffer by these actions in violation of the UTU Constitution," Thompson says. "Had the general chairpersons followed the UTU Constitution and sought the assistance of the International president as required by our Constitution, the membership would not have been on picket lines without the full support of the International."

Labor Minister Blackburn said today, "I want the dispute ended in hours, not days." According to media reports in Ottawa, the Canadian Parliament is expected to consider back-to-work legislation if the strike continues.

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Posted on Monday, February 19, 2007 10:50 PM in News by Michelle Cyr-Whiting

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Comments

Posted by: Chadermando on February 19 2007 11:31 PM

I think the issues the union raises are legitimate. I am glad Canadian sovereignty was retained in this matter by allowing the strike to continue. Obviously a solution will need to be found, but I don't think legislating a solution is the way to go. This could very well be an isue that is tied to their bad track record of safety over the last few years, and should IMO factor into any decisions that are made.

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on February 20 2007 7:46 AM

Looks like the union thugs are scrapping over who gets access to the big union bank account. I bet a wage increase with perks in on the way for the head thug and his close circle of friends.

Posted by: camoose on February 20 2007 12:50 PM

International RR Unions have not and probably never will have the interests of Canadian workers on their plate. All the International Union wants is the the dues money from Canadian workers. Always have and probably always will. The sooner the Canadian workers get represented by a Canadian led union the better. In answer to Yama's above post, I bet if he looked hard enough he might even find one or two NDP supporters in this group. Yep, that would explain everything.