TCRC MESSAGE - TRANSITION PERIOD

Attached below is a recent message sent out by the TCRC. The message, among other things, is a response to the many questions raised by the UTU membership at CN Rail. Specifically, the message from the TCRC identifies the elected positions that will be "established/maintained" affecting the former UTU members at CN Rail should the TCRC be succesful (let's hope) in the Board ordered representation vote.


Rex Beatty

___________________________________

August 22, 2008

Mr. R. Thompson
General Chairperson
United Transportation Union
105-10423 178 Street NW 71
Edmonton, AB, T5S 1R5

Mr. Guy Ethier
General Chairperson
United Transportation Union
Black Road, Unit 8
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 6J8


Mr. D. Joanette
General Chairperson
United Transportation Union
1026 St-Jean Street, Suite 200
Quebec, QC G1R 1R7

Dear Sirs and Brothers,

As you are aware, the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ordered certification vote process will be concluded very soon and we look forward to the possibility of having the Conductors, Trainmen, Yardmen and Yardmasters (CTY) join us in the Rail Conference. A number of questions have been advanced to us related to what might occur should the representation vote favours the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) to which we have provided responses as well as having them posted on our website “cnteamsters.ca”.

Nevertheless, we are providing this correspondence for additional clarity relative to certain aspects of what is anticipated to occur during the transition process.

As President and Principle Officer of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, I am very optimistic that the membership within your General Committees of Adjustment (GCA) will choose to unite with us and create a strong voice for Canadian running trades. On that note, we are pleased to provide the following information for your benefit:

…/2

August 22, 2008
Page 2


Transition Director Position

The Executive Board of the TCRC has authorized establishing/creating a new full time position, which will remain until the next TCRC Convention in 2010 and thereafter be governed by the decision of delegates in session. The primary responsibility of this position will be to assist with the integration of the CN CTY into the TCRC and will report directly to the President on all matters. The position will be filled by a member of the CN CTY through nomination and election by the Local Chairmen, which may entail the utilization of electronic voting to expedite the process.

The Executive Board has also mandated that the date for nominations and subsequent election of this position be decided upon by the President through consultation with each General Chairman and only the Local Chairmen in place on the date of the election will be entitled to vote. Our intent would be to conclude this election as soon as practicable following the Certification of the TCRC as the bargaining agent. Further details will be discussed with you on an ongoing basis during the transition period.

Recognition of General Committees of Adjustment and Local Committees of Adjustment Jurisdiction

We will incorporate each of your General Committees of Adjustment into our organization and each General Committee will retain their current area of jurisdiction. This would also apply to the Local Committees of Adjustment who would retain their current areas of jurisdiction. Retaining their current areas of jurisdiction is defined as representing the same members (craft) at the same location as is presently in place.

Recognition of Existing Officers and Subsequent Elections

To better assist with a seamless transition and if you wish to continue in your present position, we are prepared to recognize your election as the General Chairman as well as your Executive officers of your present General Committee of Adjustment during the initial transition period until elections for all executive committee positions are concluded. Should you accept, we are committed to work closely with you to organize and conduct your General Committee Executive elections as quickly as possible. We will also explore the utilization of electronic voting to facilitate an efficient, secure and timely election process.

We would also extend the same offer to all present Local Chairs (and Vice Local Chairs) presently holding those positions within your Local Committees of Adjustment. If they accept, we would immediately appoint the present Local Chairs to act as such in representing the members during the initial transition period and until the Division can conclude elections for all the new Division positions. It is also intended to conclude Division elections within the first three months after certification or sooner if possible. Electronic voting would not be utilized for Division elections due to the sheer numbers involved.

…/3

August 22, 2008
Page 3


We encourage all present officers to remain in their present positions to aid in a seamless transition and would ask that you communicate with each of your Local Chairs and provide us with a list of those Local Chairs and Vice Local Chairs who wish to continue as such, subject to the contents of this correspondence. I am sure you would agree that it is very important to retain as many local representatives as possible for the continuity in local representation and with the least disruption as possible to the members.

Additional Positions at the Division Level

New positions within the Division will be created with the addition of the CTY members and would include the following:

· One Local Chairman and at least two Vice Local Chairmen for each Local Committee of Adjustment being added to the Division.

· One Alternate Legislative Representative.

· One Craft delegate to the TCRC Convention and two alternates.

The term for these elections will be until the next regular Division elections, scheduled for the fall of 2009, at which time all Division positions will be up for election.

Financial Assistance during the Transition Period

In addition, to aid in the seamless transition, we will work with you in establishing your General Committee of Adjustment officers and provide training where required. In accordance with the TCRC Bylaws, each General Committee of Adjustment is responsible for the administration of their financial affairs therefore you will required to elect a General Secretary Treasurer for that purpose.

As this will be a new responsibility to your General Committee, we would provide the necessary instruction and training to ensure a comfort level for your General Committee. In the interim, our office, through our comptroller, is prepared to handle the financial administration for each General Committee of Adjustment and would return all financial responsibilities when you felt that it would be appropriate.

In addition, an interest free loan will be available to each General Committee so that you may establish offices, pay salaries and continue representing the members with minimal disruption. Further discussions will be necessary to finalize the administration of this transition; however, rest assured that we will assist in any way possible.

…/4

August 22, 2008
Page 4


We hope that this has provided you with the information that you require and we look forward to the possibility of working with you in the very near future.

Sincerely and In Solidarity,

D.J. Shewchuk
President

DJS/lr

cc : TCRC Executive Board