| Issue Number 18 | No Charge |
Spring 1999 |
In this issue we have the first installments of two series of articles we plan to bring you over the next year.
The first series will cover fitness, fatigue and diet for shiftworkers. We don't have figures on the average age of traincrews, but casual observation shows that we're pushing 40 pretty hard. As we all age, it is important for us to be aware of the personal issues we will face. The first article in this series was inspired by a similar program at CN.
The second series is from our Local Historian, John Holliday, who has been digging through archives and dusty records in search of stories that tell us why we are who we are.
In addition, Norm takes us to the circus, and Adrian leads us on. He also seems to be having communication problems. Elvis has left the building.
Also from CN, we have a contribution from the inimitable Rolly Rails, late of Local 701's newsletter, "Newsline".
From Local 1778, Steve Edgar, Local Chair, speaks about the importance of rest and nutrition.
We have honour of publishing a letter from the sister of our deceased Brother Don Fink, two years after losing him and Brother Terry Gallis.
And finally, Bob Sharpe and Brian Gleason cover some hot topics.
The Old Cow Trail of '77
~ John Holliday Local Historian ~
In 1818, an agreement was reached between Great Britain and the United States to divide the two countries from the Great Lakes to the Rockies by the 49th parallel.
Not until June 15, 1846, was the Oregon Boundary Treaty signed, which gave all of Vancouver Island to the British, and all land south of the 49th parallel to the Americans.
Lieutenant Alexander Anderson was commissioned by the Hudson's Bay company to find a practical fur trade route between Ft. Kamloops and the Coast, north of the 49th parallel, to replace the Okanagan Trail (The Old Fur Brigade Road) down to the Columbia River.
Leaving Ft. Kamloops on May 15, 1846, Anderson crossed the Fraser River north of the Thompson River, and seeking to avoid the extremely dangerous Fraser Canyon, headed west.
Following a short river to a lake, later named Seton (after a friend) travelling by canoe, and portaging over a short distance of land to another large lake, which was later named after himself.
Continuing overland, south from the west end of Anderson Lake, to Lillooet Lake, this later became known as the Birkenhead (or Mosquito) Portage. Across Lillooet Lake and Harrison Lake, Anderson paddled down the Harrison River to the Fraser, and made it to the coast in nine days.
The Hudson’s Bay Company decided not to use this route. However, when gold was discovered in the Cariboo in 1858, and until the Royal sappers (Royal Engineers) could forge a wagon road through the Fraser Canyon from Yale (completed in 1863) this would become the chief access route for miners, travelling by steamboat and sailship from Ft. Langley, New Westminster, Victoria, Seattle and San Fransisco to Lillooet, (Mile 0) of the wagon trail to the gold fields at Wells and Barkerville).
In the Spring of 1871, Canadian Pacific Railway began surveying west from Ft. Edmonton, through the Yellowhead Pass, to the Coast. One of the eleven different routes to the tidewater began near Clearwater, on the North Thompson River. Travelling west to the headwaters of the Bonaparte River to a point near Hat Creek, then south through Marble Canyon, and past Pavilion to Lillooet.
In the spring of 1873 a C.P.R. survey crew was dropped off by boat at the head of Howe Sound (Squamish). Following a route to Pemberton explored by Hudson’s Bay man Joseph MacKay in 1858, they cut a supply trail for mule pack-trains. Up the Cheakamus Canyon, over what is now Whistler Village to Green Lake. From there, they followed Green River northward to Pemberton, and Port Douglas (on Lillooet Lake), where the Old Harrison Wagon Road to D’arcy (on Anderson Lake) was still serviceable.
Of course these trading routes had been used by Native Indians for centuries. By the fall of 1873, this formal survey to Lillooet was complete.
Although it was soon abandoned by the C.P.R.. it was immediately proposed for upgrading, to be used as a cattle trail by ranchers north of Lillooet. Even though there were wagon roads at this time (The Cariboo Trail, and The Dewdney) following the Thompson and Fraser Rivers, they were not considered suitable for cattle.
Representing the ranchers, Legislators in Victoria approved funding for the plan to begin construction and improvements to the trail in the spring of 1874.
A portion of the trail was extended from the head of Howe Sound, following the Stawamus and Seymour Rivers to Moodyville (North Vancouver) on the Burrard Inlet.
The trail was completed in 1877, and one rancher and two cowboys drove on herd of 200 cattle from Lillooet to North Vancouver, and the rest is history.
The trail was not a success. The following is a 1910 BC Ministry of Mines Report by William Robertson,
~ John Holliday, Local Historian ~
Special thanks to Erik Johnson
"Sappers", 1987, Beth Johnson
"A Pictorial History of Railroading in
Tales From Rails
~ Rolly Rails ~
You may remember our old friend Rolly Rails, a regular contributor to UTU Local 701's Newsletter, "Newsline". Well, Rolly's still around, and as a result of an exclusive scoop by our intrepid "Meeting Point" correspondents, Rolly sends us this poem. Rolly doesn't know the author, but says that it covers the mixed feelings he had when he retired from railroading.
So long, my friends. I've pulled the pin.
Scooped up my chips and cashed 'em in.
The game is through, I'll have to leave,
I know full well no one will grieve.
But that's the way it is, you know.
The time drifts by, we come and go.
In leaving, I'm not wholly glad;
The good days far surpassed the bad.
And those of you who knew me then,
Know I enjoyed the old CN,
The clanking car, the clicking wheel,
The smell of smoke and the smell of steel,
A lot of things like these I know
I'll miss them wherever else I go.
Perhaps we're all a bit this way
For none of us was forced to stay.
I'll even miss some things like these:
The summer's heat, the winter's freeze,
The rain's wet slap that blinds and stings,
The lashing wind that howls and sings,
Thunder and lightning that split the night,
Filling the sky with jagged light.
So whether tramping down the lead
Or walking a cut of cars to bleed,
Dragging out and shoving in,
Throwing switches, pulling pins,
Climbing ladders, passing signs
On yard tracks, sidings, or on mainlines.
It's been our life. We're all the same
Where railroads have been our game.
We're here for a while and then we're gone
But the trains keep rolling on and on,
And so, once more, goodbye old friends.
My life of railroading ends.
BC Rail Jeopardized, Liberal MLA Says
Vancouver Sun, Feb. 26, 1999
Richard Neufeld, the Liberal member of the legislature for Peace River North, has warned the NDP government against any further increase in the BC Rail Dividend in its upcoming budget.
The government has demanded BC Rail pay a $61 million dividend by the end of 1998-99, Neufeld said, nine per cent more than the $56 million paid last year.
Meanwhile, the corporation reported a profit of only $40-million for 1997, which means it is having to borrow money to pay these dividends.
"The NDP is placing the future of BC Rail in jeopardy because at its current rate of debt increase, the corporation will become insolvent in less than 10 years," he said.
He noted that BC Rail is carrying a debt of $540 million and has been forced to sell its Westel telecommunications subsidiary for $55 million to meet the NDP's dividend demands.
Pedestrians Told to Wear Reflective Clothes
Vancouver Sun, Feb. 6, 1999
Vancouver police reminded pedestrians of the value of bright clothing after a 71-year-old victim became the fourth person in the city this year to be struck and killed by a vehicle.
Irene Brown was struck and killed by a vehicle travelling at high speed in the 300 block of West 41st Avenue around 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Constable Anne Drennan said Friday.
She said charges are being contemplated against a 16-year-old driver of the vehicle.
"Perhaps if she had a reflective stripe or reflective arm band on her clothing it might have been different," said Drennan.
All four traffic fatalities in the city this year have involved pedestrians. "All four of the victims so far have been wearing dark clothing," Drennan said.
Lead Me On
Apologies to Eric Clapton, LP: The Journeyman
Tell me anything you think I wanna hear
Just to keep my train standin’ here
To secure your connection fears
Tell me you need us, but in your heart you know you don’t
So lie ‘cause you think I want
To make believe you need us when you don’t
CHORUS:
Lead me on, lead me on
Lead me on, lead me on
I won’t play along and along and along
Chief lead me on
Lead me on
Pretend the traffic’s hot when you know it’s not
And my dinner break gets a firm "NOT!"
And everything’s gonna be alright
And it’s a shame, ten hours is the game
And you know I’m not the one
To bring your train in at ten plus one
TO CHORUS
And when I leave to go to work for you
You cry you’re stressed out too
To make me go along with you.
But on Channel 2 I hear you slip and tell all
I hear you calling out a relief crew’s name
You say you need them again and again
TO CHORUS:
~ Adrian Telizyn ~
Circus
By Norm Abrahams
Come one, come all
Let's have a ball
We're going to the circus
There will be secret pacts
And high wire acts
It's all here at the circus
There's trains to run
My, what fun!
Only at the circus
See officials jump through hoops
Wriggling their way through the loops
A barrel of fun at the circus
Seals clapping all in a row
Giving praise to the CEO
What fun at the circus
People shot from cannons in the dark
Had a job, miss the mark
It's all here at the circus
The Union Is Who?
Most people feel that the "Union" is the Executive Board, the people who "Run" the union. This could not be further from the truth. "The Union" is YOU! YOU are the one who elects YOUR officials to represent YOU. YOU are the one who has the privilege to go to YOUR meetings and speak what's on YOUR mind, to let YOUR board know of any grievance YOU may have. A strong Union is only as strong as its members. Show YOUR employer YOU mean business, show them YOU stand behind YOUR union, attend meetings, report infractions by the employer to YOUR shop steward or local when they occur. YOU will never agree with 100% of what YOUR local does or doesn't do. But it is important that YOU get past that and carry on and continue fighting for YOUR rights. YOU are the eyes and ears of the Union. Without YOU...There would be no "_nion"! Remember, Union starts with...U...N...I
Calling Scooter
Sung to the tune "Calling Elvis", by Dire Straits
Calling Scooter - is anybody home?
Calling Scooter - I'm here all alone
Did he leave the Esplanade?
Or can he come to the phone?
Calling Scooter - I'm here all alone
Can you tell him I was calling just to wish him well
Don't cut my budget - right to the bone
Let me leave out the job numbers - please don't be cruel
Return my proposals to sender - pay me like a fool
Calling Scooter - is anybody home?
Calling Scooter - I'm here all alone
Did he leave the Esplanade?
Can he come to the phone?
Calling Scooter - I'm here all alone
Why don't you go get him - I'm his biggest TS
You gotta tell him - he's still the man
Fort Nelson baby - so far from home
Don't you think maybe you could put him on?
Can you tell him I was calling just to wish him well
Don't cut my budget - right to the bone
Let me leave out the job numbers - please don't be cruel
Return my proposals to sender - pay me like a fool
Calling Scooter - is anybody home
Calling Scooter - I'm here all alone
Did he leave the Esplanade
Can he come to the phone
Calling Scooter - I'm here all alone
~ Adrian Telizyn ~
Fraternally Yours
~ Steve Edgar, Local Chairperson, Local 1778 ~
The following is a true story. At 00:15 the phone rings. It’s the crew office with a call for a 02:15 VC. Arrive a few minutes before the ordered time, do the usual paper work and depart. When O/S' ing out of town request for a meal break. Five hours go by the trip is progressing as usual, nothing out of the ordinary, then the TCS calls to state you can’t stop your train to eat. The crew has been at work for five hours and still has five hours to go. Crew arrives at the away from home terminal at 12:30, after 10 hours 15 minutes on duty.
They were denied the right to stop the train to have an uninterrupted hot meal, now they have to make a decision (go right to bed or stay up a while). They call the TCS to see when there south bound train will be ordered, he states 21:00. Based on that information they decide to have a bite to eat and go to bed as they haven’t eaten a real meal today. By the time they get to bed its about 14:30. They awake at 20:30, no call yet. They go down stairs to see what time the call is coming. The new TCS on duty states 00:30 or 01:00. Now they're awake, they make some breakfast, watch some TV and try to get some more sleep. They get a 30 minute call at 00:30 for 01:00. The managed to get an hour more sleep.
When the crew departs they make a request for a meal break. About six hours go by, the crew has had a few delays with meets and push, TCS calls to state that there close to their hours so they can’t stop to eat. The crew carries on and they have another bad meet. It looks like they’re not going to make it in on their ten hours. They call for relief or rest on their hours. A supervisor calls them up and states that there being unreasonable in requesting relief and orders the crew in. Fearing for their job, the crew complies with the orders of the supervisor, and brings the train in….
That’s when I get involved as Local Chairperson. I contacted the supervisor to ask about his actions. I asked if he considered the safety of the crew and the public when the crew has worked those kind of hours. He stated that he had not considered that.
After reviewing this incident, it is my opinion that this supervisor has little or no respect for the collective agreement which his company has signed. This crew lived up to their contractual obligation. It seems to me that the supervisor never considered the safety of the crew, or the events that led them to ask for rest or relief. I believe the company failed at their contractual obligation to the employee.
Some time ago I was approached by a supervisor who he said he didn’t see anything wrong with working us over our hours. I asked if on the nights that we were really tired would he let us off early? We all know his answer.
If this type of incident happens to you, and you require rest, do not go beyond the siding where you can store your train before your hours are up, but do not tie up on the main track unless instructed by the RTC. This type of incident happened a few years ago and when the management of the day realized what they had done, they dropped it during the hearing process.
We are, as stated in Article 122, THE JUDGE OF OUR OWN CONDITION
~ Steve Edgar, Local Chair 1778 ~
Meeting Point is published four times yearly for the information and entertainment of the members of United Transportation Union Locals 1778 and 1923 (BC Rail).
The Editors of Meeting Point support the concept of free speech and welcome any submissions that may be of interest to our members. Submissions may be made to any Union Officer, E-mail utu1778@ultranet.ca or our Web page at http://www.ultranet.ca/utu/
Submissions become the property of Meeting Point. We reserve the right to edit for brevity and clarity. The opinions contained herein are not necessarily those of the Editors or the United Transportation Union.
Deadline for submissions: 15 th of Mar, June, Sept., Dec
Letter to UTU Members
March 12,1999
To Members or the U.T.U.:
As the 2nd anniversary of the deaths of my brother, Don Fink, and Terry Gallis, approaches, I think of the many special people who treated us with kindness and compassion. Throughout the horror of the accident and the anguish of awaiting confirmation of their deaths, we were comforted and cared for by your members, in particular John and Brenda Halen, Don Keele, Barry Gray, Duke Deline and Dave DeJonckheere. I apologize to those I have missed, as you can imagine some of those days are clouded memories.
There have been positive changes made following the inquest and I hope that lives have been spared as a result of these changes. I do believe that Don and Terry did not die in vain. The belief that their deaths have in some way saved others is the fuel that has allowed us to heal.
I wish to acknowledge the very hard work and commitment of Brian Gleason, who represented the U.T.U. interests at the inquest into Don and Terry's deaths. He worked to keep our interests in the forefront and to ensure that our questions were answered. Larry Campbell, Chief Coroner for British Columbia, presided over the inquest and pressed for answers as to why this accident occurred and then made his recommendations to protect the public safety and the lives of Railroaders. I would also like to thank Pierre Trottier for his continued support and expertise on matters of safety. Ross Rykyta was a part of the momentum to name stars in Don and Terry's memory, thus creating a celestial address for them, a symbol of everlasting energy.
In times of tragedy, part of healing is to gain something positive from the loss. I have gained a deep respect for the members of the railroad community. I witnessed your pain at the loss of your brothers and your strength to push for change. My family and I felt privileged to share your stories and gain some insight into why Don loved his railroading years and working the road with so many of you. He was a fortunate man in many ways. You've honored Don and Terry in many ways, know that we are deeply touched by all your gestures.
The Royal Commission on Workers' Compensation in British Columbia released it's final report January 20,1999. One area that came under strong criticism was how the WCB deals with fatality investigations. Compensation for survivors is recognized as being insufficient and changes have been recommended. I submitted a report to the Royal Commission before the inquest and as a result of my interest I have become connected to a group entitled Survivors for Change.
April 28 is the National Day of Mourning to honor workers killed on the job. I am involved in organizing a gathering at the Legislative buildings here in Victoria on April 28. I would appreciate your ideas for making this a memorable day. I would also like the names of your members killed on the job as we would like to prepare a roll call of those workers who have lost their lives. There are plans for a caravan coming from the mainland. Should any of you wish to take part in this gathering please contact me for more information at 1-250-477-0452.
Thank you for all your support.
Shirley MacEachern
General Chairperson's Column |
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| Phone: (604) 434-8075 Fax:(604) 434-9380 |
~ Bob Sharpe ~ |
Cell: (604) 220-3488 |
I have decided to devote the majority of this column to an issue which has been addressed numerous times at meetings and which individual members have asked questions - the issue of members driving company vehicles. I have included a letter from Canadian Legislative Director, Brother Tim Secord to Local Chairperson, Brother Monte Rutzki (CN) regarding his members being ordered to drive company vehicles. It points out the importance of having proper legal protection in the collective agreement.
As you should all be well aware, the UTU on BC Rail negotiated Article 146 which states, "No employee in the course of his duties will be required to operate a company vehicle." This article was negotiated to provide our membership protection against the questions our Brothers and Sisters at CN are now addressing. I would advise all members to read the following letter and keep it in mind when it comes to the issue of driving a company vehicle (letter below).
Mr. M. Rutzki
Dear Sir and Brother:
These are precisely the reasons why Article 146 was negotiated and why we have continually advised, and continue to advise the membership not to operate company vehicles.
Contract Negotiations
Contract negotiations are at an impasse. The Council has only one demand on the table: 0%, 0%, 2% (1998, 1999, 2000) on wages, and the collective agreements to remain whole. This is in accordance with PSEC guidelines. The railway has numerous proposals plus the demand for a 20% reduction in the unionized payroll still on the table. The railway's position seems rather out of touch with the labour climate of the day. All settlements in the public sector to date have been based on 0-0-2% and the collective agreements remaining whole....not concession bargaining!
The GC of A will be making a trip over the property in the near future. Notices will be coming out when we will be in your terminal and I hope as many of you as possible will come out for the meetings.
Legislative Rep's Column
HOW CUTE IT IS
"For example, CUTE local 1 (representing engineers at BC Rail) pay less in dues then UTU members and yet have fewer members. Despite their higher dues and more dues paying members the UTU has had on occasion had to borrow money from CUTE local 1 in order to enable its representatives to represent their members at tribunals." - From CUTE correspondence.
This is an example of the lies and character assassination that have typified CUTE’s attempted RAID of the United Transportation Union (UTU) and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) at CP Rail. The only time that I recall money changing hands between the UTU and CUTE was when CUTE wanted us to attach their name to a brief that was prepared by the UTU. They were advised that if they wanted to once again have their name attached to work done by the UTU, they would be expected to pay their share.
Perhaps their dues are slightly less than ours, lets have a look at the reasons why. First and foremost we represent the interest of our membership in many different forums, and we support the Labour movement as a whole, not just our own self interest. The UTU participates on federation legislative committees and Health and Safety committees in this province and throughout this country. We fight to have legislation enacted that will benefit all working people. Labour legislation, Health and Safety legislation, changes to the Railway Act and regulations that affect us every day of our working lives. Changes to the Workers Compensation Act, the Employment Insurance Act, pension legislation, Medicare, the list goes on. Our members throughout this province and country participate in Labour Councils, making sure that railway workers have a voice in the labour movement. Our Union is politically active. What does CUTE do?
We fought a long, drawn out and expensive arbitration in the 1990's to protect the jobs of our members as a result of CCO operations. Part of the reason we were in that position, was that the representatives of CUTE locals 1 (Locomotive Engineers) CUTE local 6 (Maintenance of Way) on the Council of Trade Unions on BC Rail voted to force us into that process (this is not the first time we have been stabbed in the back). As an aside, when CUTE local 6 was looking for support for their members for an across the board increase, as opposed to a percentage increase, to raise the wages of the lowest paid workers, their brothers in CUTE local 1 would not support them, the UTU did. CUTE local 1 enjoys many of the benefits that we fought for as a result of this arbitration, such as engine conditions and shorter days. What does CUTE do?
The UTU at BC Rail has published a newsletter and maintained a website for the last five years in order to keep our membership involved and informed. This year nine members from our two locals at BC Rail attended the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) Winter School for one week to attend courses in WCB, collective bargaining, facing management, parliamentary procedure, health and safety, labour law, ECT. At this years school they will meet and learn with fellow railway workers from across the country and from many different railways, as well as other sisters and brothers from Unions affiliated with the CLC. Every year we provide education to our members and representatives. Does CUTE educate their membership? What does CUTE do?
At BC Rail, I would estimate that for every WCB claim that CUTE local 1 has, the UTU has twenty, that is the nature of our work. That is why we are constantly training members at the local level to deal with WCB. Local Representatives also have provincial legislative boards that will handle WCB appeals and pay the costs for medical/legal opinions, if required. Has CUTE provided education to any of their members to represent them with WCB claims? What does CUTE do?
I was recently provided with an unsigned copy of a letter, apparently from Mr. Szeplaky, President, CUTE national, addressed to all CUTE national members, dated November 13, 1998. Mr. Szeplaki provides a rather humorous (although not very factual) history lesson of the creation of CUTE and the circumstances leading up to the present RAID at CP Rail. The first issue to be dealt with is who is "CUTE national." CUTE representatives describe CUTE national as a filing cabinet in a house in Prince George. Realistically, CUTE national is the membership of the two locals referred to earlier, with approximately 200 Engineers and 400 Maintenance of way workers working at BC Rail. One could certainly argue that the name CUTE national is a bit of a misnomer. Mr. Szeplaki advises that he has not had a lot of success strengthening CUTE national and our only real contribution (to the CCU) was paying dues, but all that has changed quite suddenly. What does CUTE do?
Mr. Szeplaki attacks the UTU and postulates as to the feelings of the UTU membership, something that he knows very little about. He speaks of the courageous, idealistic people having secret meetings under threats of the usual intimidation tactics as they attempt to RAID another union. Mr. Szeplaki and CUTE should examine the history of the UTU in the labour movement, as well as their history of organizing and standing up for the rights of railway workers. He could learn something of the real intimidation and violence that members of the UTU and their predecessors were subjected to as they fought for the rights of railway workers. He could learn something about courage and ideals, as well as honesty and integrity. Mr. Szeplaki and CUTE appear to be distressed that the UTU would defend itself against the false claims, innuendo, and character assassination that CUTE has perpetrated. He advises that he has turned the matter over to their legal counsel for consideration. It appears that CUTE can dish it out, but they can’t take it.
CUTE has spent a lot of time, energy and money attacking the UTU, BLE and the Canadian Labour Congress, as well as other labour organizations. In my opinion, the manner in which their representatives have been behaving has made them the laughingstock of the labour movement. I do not believe that buffoonery, yelling, screaming and being rude and ignorant to others furthers anybody’s cause, the membership suffers in the end. Perhaps the CUTE membership needs examine their own organization and put their house in order, before going out and attacking others.
Local 1778 Has A Winner!
Congratulations to Brother Richard Girard, who was among five UTU Canada members chosen by lottery for an all expenses paid scholarship to attend the Regional Meeting in Washington DC. this July.
The members were chosen from among five candidates submitted by the executive of each Canadian local. The candidates had to be members in good standing and could not hold office in the union. Each winner is expected to attend workshops presented at the meeting and submit a report of their three day attendance.
Congratulations also to the other winners,
Steve Capotinsky
Local 691, Kamloops
Ross Duff
Local 1894, Winnipeg
Paul Fletcher
Local 1828, Edmonton
Don Rowe
Local 351, Winnipeg