/
/
/
/
/
Safety concerns raised as managers take over trains during Southern Railway lockout

Safety concerns raised as managers take over trains during Southern Railway lockout

BURNABY—The promised lockout of 126 CUPE members and eight COPE members working for Southern Railway (SRY) took effect at five a.m. today, with the company shutting the gates at work sites and hired security guards forcibly removing workers from SRY property.

The lockout affects several work places, the three main rail sites being New Westminster Trapp Yard, Huntingdon in Abbotsford and Annacis Island in Delta. Managers are now in charge of operating the trains for a service area that stretches from Vancouver to Chilliwack.

“We have a number of safety concerns with regard to managers who may appear to be qualified on paper now running trains despite, in many cases, having little experience actually running a train,” said CUPE 7000 President Bill Magri.

“Even those who have done so certainly have not put in the time, on a regular weekly basis, that our members have. So our primary concern is with public safety and maintaining the highest safety standards especially given the transport of dangerous goods.”

The lockout was preceded by a final offer vote that the membership rejected by 91 percent. Magri said that SRY tabled a full concessionary package and was not willing to address either health and safety issues around fatigue and overtime or wages and working conditions.

CUPE 7000 members working for SRY include conductors, engineers, brakemen, trackmen, locomotive repair and maintenance, and others who operate, maintain and service the company’s freight trains, as well as supervising the switching between lines.

 

 

 

cope491
Share this

Latest News

Budget 2024 tackles economic uncertainty with investments in public services and affordability – CUPE BC

Budget 2024 tackles economic uncertainty with investments in public services and affordability – CUPE BC

February 22, 2024
VICTORIA— Budget 2024 continues the BC NDP’s record of making meaningful investments in the public services that matter to people and communities, and creating and expanding programs that make life…
VICTORIA— Budget 2024 continues the BC NDP’s record of making meaningful investments in the public services that matter to people and communities, and creating and expanding programs that make life...

District of Chetwynd workers ratify new contract

District of Chetwynd workers ratify new contract

February 15, 2024
CHETWYND – After a collaborative round of negotiations CUPE 3052 members, municipal workers in the District of Chetwynd, have overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year contract. The new agreement includes wage…
CHETWYND – After a collaborative round of negotiations CUPE 3052 members, municipal workers in the District of Chetwynd, have overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year contract. The new agreement includes wage...

CUPE 1978 ratifies new agreement with Greater Victoria Housing Society

CUPE 1978 ratifies new agreement with Greater Victoria Housing Society

February 13, 2024
VICTORIA – CUPE 1978 members at the Greater Victoria Housing Society have ratified a new five-year agreement that provides improved working conditions for CUPE members, as well as enhanced supportive housing…
VICTORIA – CUPE 1978 members at the Greater Victoria Housing Society have ratified a new five-year agreement that provides improved working conditions for CUPE members, as well as enhanced supportive housing...