Original letter sent by mail from CIU National Mark Weber to Paul Boucher, President of the TCRC, on August 21, 2024.

Dear Brother Boucher,

By threatening to lockout workers should agreements with the Teamsters not be reached at the bargaining table by August 22, both CN and CPKC are resorting to the preferred tactic of employers who would bully rather than bargain.

That rail operators would seek concessions from workers that would result in greater fatigue-related safety risks lays bare their blatant disregard for the well-being of their employees, for the safety and security of Canadians, and for our supply chain as a whole. By aggressively pushing for a lockout instead of continuing to bargain, they only confirm that profits matter above all else, regardless of consequences.

CPKC’s actions, which also aim to unilaterally change the terms of collective agreements, are particularly egregious. Your union is to be applauded for defending the rights of your members and issuing a strike notice in response.

Border services and rail operations are intrinsically linked as part of cross-border activities, and our respective members are well acquainted with each other. In the past — most recently earlier this spring when CIU was on the verge of a strike — Teamsters and the TCRC made clear their support for our members.

By way of this letter and on behalf of the CIU membership, I wish to return that offer of support to the TCRC. An injury to one is an injury to all, and the Customs and Immigration Union will be proud to assist you in any way we can until agreements are reached. I invite you to contact me should you require any assistance.

In solidarity,

Mark Weber
CIU National President

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