Today’s rain didn’t detour West Kootenay rail workers from joining the picket lines for day three of taking a stand against the ongoing issues, and they plan to keep coming back until a resolution is found.
“We’re out here because the company and the union have not been able to come to terms on a new agreement.” said Tom Leeming, Chairman for Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Local 563.
Local 563 includes 27 employees who work for the rail line out of Nelson and Trail, and who have all been involved in the work stoppage.
Leeming says the rain network is vital to the region’s economy.
“Not being able to haul the traffic in and out of here has a huge impact on the customers, mainly Teck Cominco in Trail, Celgar and Interfor in Castlegar.”
“There’s a lot of uncertainty right now. The government has invoked Section 107 of the Canada Labor Code, which is now being reviewed by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board.”
“We’re anticipating a decision from them, but until we get that decision, we’ll be on the picket lines.”
Workers were locked out by Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC)and Canadian National Railway (CN) on Wednesday evening, August 21, following failed negotiations regarding employee scheduling and rest periods.
Which led to industrial and commuter rail services coming to a halt across Canada.
On Thursday, August 22, Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon asked the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to order binding arbitration between the companies and union, in which Teamsters union serves CN Rail with 72-hour strike notice as CPKC stoppage continues.
How long with this last is unclear at this time.
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