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10 June 2004
Canada Industrial
Relations Board to be Asked to Reconsider Teamster Certification for Rail
Workers
Toronto - The United
Steelworkers will seek
reconsideration of a decision by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB)
to certify the Teamsters' union as the bargaining agent for track maintenance
employees of Canadian Pacific Railway Company.
"We believe the board should have ordered a vote between the United
Steelworkers and the Teamsters," said Steelworkers' National Director Ken
Neumann. "Such a vote would ensure that all BMWE members in Canada have a say
in who they want to represent them in the workplace."
Neumann said the Teamsters have misrepresented the Steelworkers' role in
working with Canadian members of the BMWE.
"Teamsters have misled BMWE members, telling them that signing a
Teamsters' union card would allow them to decide their future by way of a
democratic vote, and that workers who want Steelworkers to represent them are
holding up the processing of grievances and finalizing a collective
agreement."
Neumann said the CIRB's role should be to uphold fairness in the process
of selecting a bargaining agent.
"We think the Teamsters misled people and used questionable tactics in
gathering a majority of cards," he said. "We believe that a vote is the only
just and fair method of ensuring that the wishes of BMWE members in Canada are
respected."
Last month, BMWE members were granted an injunction by the Ontario
Superior Court, which prevented the Teamsters from implementing a takeover of
the BMWE Canadian membership.
"BMWE members are justifiably confused by all these shenanigans," said
Neumann. "The CIRB must in all fairness reconsider its decision and order a
vote."
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