While
the Federal Government has directed OmniTRAX to repair the
damaged track, it appears nothing has been done.
"Our members are proud, contributing members of
the communities in The Pas and Gilliam and they have been decimated
by the failure of OmniTRAX (HBR's parent company) to rebuild the
railway as directed by the Federal Government.
"This line has been in operation for decades
with the HBR and with CN before that, it is the lifeline
for Northern Manitoba bringing food, heating fuel and essentials to
northern communities.
"A railway is not just a business, it's a
responsibility. The communities they serve, the employees that work
there, and their families are all dependent on this link. Employers
always say they are an essential service and limit the union's
ability to bargain with them, but faced with the costs of
maintaining infrastructure, this employer has effectively shut down
almost all railway operations.
"Trucking product and materials that were
previously handled by train will further deteriorate an already
burdened highway system. The railway is the most efficient way to
move product, and there are communities, like Churchill, that don't
currently have highway access.
"It is shameful that this company was allowed
to buy the property from CN, get provincial and federal subsidies
for the last twenty years and then basically walk away following the
flooding, something that any railway is subject to."
Teamsters represent 125,000 members
in Canada in all industries, including 12,000 workers in the rail
industry. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with which
Teamsters Canada is affiliated, has 1.4 million members in North
America.
SOURCE Teamsters Canada
For further information: Roland Hackl, Vice-President of the TCRC, info@teamstersrail.ca
