The week started slowly with not a lot of movement from either party however things took a positive turn when the company started to acknowledge and respond to our proposals. We were able to tentatively agree on a number of proposals and the process began to pick up some momentum. 

We are still not close on wages and the company has not provided us with an update on their proposal for expenses. These are obviously two of our larger proposals and we are still advocating for significant increases to both of these to offset the generational interest rate hikes and inflation. 

We continue to work through the Pension Improvement account and the possibilities that come with this. In respect to the surplus in the Employment Security fund, we are working through the possibilities in how this surplus is used in an effective manner that all members would see benefit from. 

The good news out of this is that we are still negotiating and although it is taking some time to get through this negotiation process, we are committed to securing an agreement that addresses as many of our member’s issues as possible. This is not something that we are willing to rush into and bring back something that does not have benefit to our membership. 

We will be continuing through the month of November via Zoom meetings and meeting in the last week of November in person again. It will be more evident in this week in late November if we are at an impasse and will need to seek the help of the Federal Mediation Services or if the parties will have come together and been able to continue with headway. Our goal remains to come to a negotiated settlement and we will continue to do so until there is no possibility of an agreement. 

We appreciate the patience of our membership as we work through this process and we remain committed to coming to a negotiated settlement that sees as many improvements as possible. 

Wade Phillips President
TCRC MWED
Toll Free 1(800)567-0571
Cellular 1(613)922-4162
Fax 1(613)526-5149
wphillips@tcrcmwed.ca

October 27, 2021 – It is with great pride that I am able to announce the overwhelming ratification of Alstom Transport Canada first agreement in Brampton, Ontario. These members certified with us just over a year ago and we finally have an agreement that introduces the fairness that these members were looking for. It took some time working through this pandemic in attempting to address the issues that they were facing but we came out with an agreement that sees the members establish seniority and job bidding rules, provides the members with a grievance procedure, introduces a bonus structure in the final year of the agreement, sees overtime after 40 hrs instead of 44 amongst other gains and establishes regular wage increases on a yearly basis. This is in addition to maintaining the benefits and leave provisions that were already offered. 

This could not have been done without the hard work of many members that were involved in the negotiation process. We have a strong group that will only get stronger as the years go by!

Congratulations to our members at Alstom and we are happy to have you in the TCRC MWED family!

We will be working with Alstom over the next couple of months to implement the changes that were made and we look forward to a long relationship with Alstom. 

Special thanks to all that were involved and congratulations again on this first collective agreement!

Wade Phillips President
TCRC MWED
Toll Free 1(800)567-0571
Cellular 1(613)922-4162
Fax 1(613)526-5149
wphillips@tcrcmwed.ca

The turnout at the vote is the following:  62.5% exercised their right to vote with 60% in favour of adopting the Memorandum of Understanding.

I would like to thank you once again for your patience and support.

With respect to the payment of retroactive wages, I will let you know the date as soon as I have confirmation from the Company.

In solidarity,  

The turnout for the vote was very high again, 89,7% of members exercised their right to vote and 66.7% are in favour of adopting the Memorandum of Understanding.

Your bargaining committee is very proud and satisfied to witness your interest and involvement in the negotiation process. We thank you once again for your patience and support.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the negotiating committee who worked very hard to reach this agreement.

Most of the changes contained in the Memorandum of Understanding will come into effect on July 1 st . With respect to the payment of retroactive wages, we will keep you informed of the date as soon as we receive confirmation from the Company.

In solidarity,

I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update to the members of the Pacific Region since January 2021 and thank everyone of you for your continuous support as your Director.  It’s been an absolute pleasure to represent all of you and I will continue to be a leader ensuring you are receiving the best possible representation when it comes to any issue the company throws our way.  

I’ll begin with a report on grievances, I’ve had monthly grievance resolve meetings in both Alberta and B.C. with company Directors, General Roadmasters and Labour Relations for each territory as well I was part of a Western Region Arbitration meeting. This process has been a battle but very positive putting a substantial amount of money back into members pockets. I am in constant contact with members who are receiving resolves so far and will continue to do so as more come our way. 

Covid has been a very trying time for all. I was fortunate enough to attend 4 CP start-up meetings in Alberta and 8 in B.C. in March and April and as the restrictions ease in the very near future I will make sure I attend as many as possible. 

We have negotiated a memorandum of settlement for one of our short lines Kelowna Pacific Railway. The week of June 21 we will have a ratification vote. As of July, we will be in negotiations with CN for a contract for the Mackenzie Northern Railway members.

I’ve attended a number of statements both in AB and B.C. as well as issuing several grievances. I’d like to take a quick moment to remind all of us to work safe out there and always “Question and Document Issues“.  You have the right to know and the right for representation. Also, I am quite looking forward to coming out to Alberta the latter part of June to have more of a face-to-face visit with the crews and sections with B.C. to follow. I look forward to seeing everyone soon, WORK SAFE!

In Solidarity,

Trevor Marshall

Director Pacific Region

TCRC MWED

Brothers and Sisters,

I wanted to take this opportunity to provide an update to the members of the Eastern Region, as I have now been in my new role as Director for 4 months.

I would like to begin with a report on grievances. I have begun monthly meetings since February 2021 with the Company Directors and Labour Relations for each territory. This process has resulted in 5 meetings at CP and 1 meeting at ONR thus far, to specifically deal with grievances. So far, there have been 30 grievances resolved at CP and 7 Grievances resolve at ONR. As of now, the total compensation going back into members pockets is $47,527.04. This does not include issues that are resolved before the grievance process begins, or issues resolved at step 1 of the grievance process. 

Currently at Ontario Northland the only outstanding grievances left are the ones that have been initiated since I took over my position in January, which are still working through the step 1 and 2 process.

I have 3 more grievance meetings scheduled for next week at CP to address approximately 20 more grievances. Wade and I are also doing a separate Arbitration meeting next week, where additional grievances will also be addressed. I have been in contact with members who are receiving resolves thus far, and will continue to do so as more get resolved.

In the last couple months, I have been working along side Wade on bargaining a first agreement for Alstom Transportation. It has been a battle and a grind, but I believe we are making good headway toward getting the brothers and sisters of Alstom Transportation a fair and equitable contract that addresses compensation, seniority, benefits, work rules and equality.  

I was fortunate to be able to attend two CP Start Up meetings in Northern Ontario and one Start Up meeting in Southern Ontario. I was looking forward to attending the other Northern and Southern Start Ups, as it was my goal to be in attendance of as many of the meetings as possible this year. Unfortunately, Covid had other plans and the meetings had to be delayed, with the new travel restrictions and meeting restrictions that were put in place. It is my understanding that these meetings will take place as soon as restrictions allow and I still intend to be present at them in person when they occur. 

While the current restrictions have made meeting in person more difficult recently, I have been able to maintain my meetings using Zoom and Microsoft Teams, so that I can continue to work on addressing outstanding grievances and issues that arise in the day to day. I remain available by phone or email should any issues or concerns arise, or if there are any question that need answered. As always, I will always make sure that proper union representation is made available for any member who may be facing disciplinary action. I look forward to seeing everyone as soon as restrictions allow.

In Solidarity,

Maclean Foster