(TCRC issued the following news release on April 22.)
OTTAWA — On April 23, the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) will hold two rallies to get the word out that that CP Rail is putting the lives of Canadians in danger. One of the rallies will be held in front of Union Station in Toronto at 8:00 a.m., and the other in front of the Gulf Canada Square in Calgary at 11:00 a.m.
There have been several train derailments in Canada over the past few weeks. Toxic chemicals were spilled in rural areas, and a recent derailment even caused the evacuation of a regional community, just south of Red Deer, Alberta.
Although, dozens of train derailments are reported in Canada each year, CP Rail continues to decrease the number of its maintenance of way employees. The duties of maintenance of way employees include, among other things, the safety of the public, as well as the inspection, maintenance and repair of thousands of kilometers of railway tracks. This vital workforce is half the size it was merely 15 years ago and continues to decline.
“CP Rail was found guilty by the American Government following a train derailment a few weeks ago,” said Gilles Hallé, President of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference. “The company is also considering laying off dozens of employees who are essential to the safety of the population and to the people working in the industry. This is totally irresponsible on their part. Can you imagine if a train was to derail in a large city like Toronto? It would be a disaster!”
The public is encouraged to attend the rallies where information leaflets will be distributed. For more information, call the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference at (613) 235-1828.
The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference — formerly the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers — represents more than 7,000 employees at Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, VIA Rail Canada and several other local railway companies in Canada.