No End Yet To CN Strike

By 250 News

The strike at CN rail is into its 13th day and, unless the two sides reach an agreement with the assistance of a federal mediator in the interim, it appears likely to continue into next week.

Approximately 28-hundred train conductors and yard-service employees, members of the United Transporation Union, have been off the job since February 10th.  CN has had management personnel running trains in a bid to keep freight moving across the country, but the outcry from frustrated shippers is mounting.

Yesterday, Federal Labour Minister, Jean-Pierre Blackburn, filed notice with Parliament that he intends to introduce back-to-work legislation, possibly by tomorrow.  A vote on the bill would take place early next week, unless all parties agree to speed it through Parliament.

Canadian National Railway has come out in favour of the legislation.  CN President E. Hunter Harrison says, "Although CN’s preference has always been to achieve new labour agreements through free collective bargaining without third-party intervention, we believe government legislation is warranted at this time given internal UTU divisions that have hampered the union’s bargaining efforts."

Two open letters on UTU Canada’s website show evidence of this internal division.  The first is from UTU International President, Paul Thompson, to the two union vice-presidents negotiating on the UTU’s behalf regarding a "suggested return-to-work agreement" they forwarded to his office.   

"It is my understanding that your recommendations are that the strike continue. I accept that recommendation," writes Thompson.  "It is my suggestion that instead of attempting to work out a return-to-work agreement, we concentrate on negotiating an agreement to send out for ratification of our membership. Short of successfully negotiating an agreement, then the strike must continue."

The second letter is written by Tim Second, the UTU’s Canadian Legislative Director urging striking members to remain united and disregard calls from four former union chairs to go back to work. "These same former UTU members are now trying to persuade the local chairpersons to tell our members to drop their picket signs, using a doomsday scenario of back to work legislation. "  The four were removed from office by the international union on Monday. (click here for previous story)

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