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The Teamsters Launch a Television Ad Campaign on Rail Safety

 Teamsters Canada launched a television ad campaign on rail safety.

The Lac-Mégantic tragedy in July 2013 highlighted the importance of protecting the health and safety of the general public and of the 12,000 workers that the Teamsters represent in the industry.

“We want to send a clear message to the federal government: we need more inspectors on the track,” explains Robert Bouvier, president of Teamsters Canada. “The conclusions of the investigation conducted by the Transportation Safety Board [TSB] on the Lac-Mégantic train derailment are clear in this regard.”

We shall recall that TSB officials explained that the derailment was caused by 18 factors, namely the employer’s safety violations and Transport Canada’s inadequate control over the rail company’s activities.

This report—just as the one released by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA)—clearly points the finger at self-regulation. By its very nature, this aberration—which is currently an industry standard—cannot protect the workers and the population’s safety.

“There remains a lot to be done to ensure an optimal level of safety,” adds the unionist. “The simplest and most effective solution would be to hire a greater number of inspectors to oversee the rail carriers’ activities.”

The campaign will air during hockey games on SportsNet, TSN, RDS and TVA Sports, over the coming weeks. 

“We are going to continue putting pressure on the federal government. The utmost importance must once again by given to rail safety,” concludes the union leader.

To watch the advertisement click the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7-y-Nt6yas

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Testimonial

For 35 years I have been a Teamster and a Dairyworker, I was a young kid needing a job in tough economic times. I found a place to work and make a living, I learned to work together with others having varying and different backgrounds than my own.

Much has changed for me personally and professionally, I got married to my beautiful wife of almost 25 years and we have raised two amazing children, both of whom are presently studying abroad. Both of my children were recipients of Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Funding.

So much of my success I can credit to having a well paying union job. The Teamsters have been a great union for me, negotiating strong collective agreements that held good wage and benefit packages as well as the cornerstone beliefs of seniority and workers’ rights. The Teamsters gave me a good wage and a voice.

I have always been an active Teamster, and now I sit on Local 464's Executive Board.

There can be a great degree of personal feelings when the word union is mentioned, but so often I look at professional associations and realize the name may be different, but the thought is the same...strength in numbers.

As I get toward the end of my career, I look forward to the thought of receiving the Teamsters Canada Pension Plan, and I am so grateful for the belief others had before me that Teamsters deserved a good and decent retirement...thank you.

Drew


- Drew Speirs

"I have been a member of Teamsters Local 464 for 23 years and have seen many of the executives come and go. Some of the previous executives nearly ran the Local into bankruptcy including losing our pension.  Bobby Kornhass, Bob Ryder and Paul Barton brought us back from the brink. Since they took over in 2000, we at Dairyland (Saputo) have had the best contracts I have seen since I have been there."

- Randy Onyschak

"I was there when we brought the Union in. The first-time contract they won for us was unbelievable. It changed the quality of my life. I am now a Shop Steward and enjoy working with my Union and looking after my fellow workers. "

- Paul Landrecht - Shop Steward. Island Farms Dairy.