(The Canadian Auto Workers posted the following story on its website, CNstrike.com, on March 4)
MONTREAL — CAW bargaining committee called back to Montreal… Yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, an informal meeting took place between CN and the CAW at the request of the federal government mediators. The meeting dealt with the topics of CN’s discipline system as well as the process to re-start negotiations.
After the meeting, the decision was made to call the union bargaining representatives back to Montreal today – one day earlier than previously planned. Bargaining committee members have been on the picket lines and in meetings, talking to members about the progress of the strike and about how to proceed forward in bargaining.
We hope to meet the company on Friday. Our first topic on the agenda will be to resolve the union’s demand to roll back CN’s new discipline system. After that, the bargaining committee will continue working on the other outstanding issues until we obtain a new settlement that can be taken back to the membership for their approval.
Injunction sought against CN treatment of Owner-Operators… Almost 400 Owner-Operators (drivers who own their trucks) contracted to work for Canadian National Transport Ltd. at the nine intermodal terminals are members of CAW Council 4000. Because they belong to a different bargaining unit, they will not be in a legal strike position before the end of March. CN has taken advantage of this situation by trying to force these members to be used as a tool against the strike of other CAW workers. The Owner-Operators, however, have remained firm in their unity with their brothers and sisters, refusing to cross picket lines, risking reprisals and incurring loss of income.
Soon after the start of the strike, CN tried another tactic – making these truck drivers act like trains! CN has forced them to perform long haul deliveries, across thousands of miles, instead of the local and regional short hauls which they were hired to do. CN has also tried to bargain individual deals with these members for such long haul trips.
The CAW’s legal department says that all this is against the law. CN is violating the “freeze” provisions of the Canada Labour Code and illegally usurping the role of the union. Yesterday, the CAW filed these charges with the Canada Industrial Relations Board, seeking an urgent hearing and demanding an “interim order” (similar to a court injunction) to halt these acts. We will keep you informed of any developments.
Blowing the whistle on U.S. scabs… Besides using management employees, CN has brought in new “replacement” employees to attempt to fill in for striking CAW workers. This is the first time in modern Canadian history that a railway has resorted to scabs during a labour dispute. Worse yet, CN has recruited foreigners to cross the border and help out during our strike. Members across the country have unanimously denounced this cynical practice.
Although evidence is very difficult to pin down, the CAW has blown the whistle. Yesterday, letters were sent to Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s offices in Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Toronto, providing some names and photos, citing pertinent provisions of Canadian law and NAFTA, and demanding that the authorities investigate and “bar these workers from Canada”.
You can help. If you spot a suspect, get the fullest possible information, including photos if at all possible, and contact the CAW. Write your MP demanding that the authorities heighten their vigilance at the border and deport these people when caught. Join our campaign to enact strong anti-scab legislation federally, similar to existing laws in Quebec and British Columbia.