U.S. & CANADA Rail: International Brotherhood of Teamsters, ‘Strike the Iron While it is Hot’!

Teamsters, you’re power is more than 10,000 strong! Ride and ‘write your own ticket’! Strike back!

“Over the past several years Union Pacific management has recklessly reduced the number of its Maintenance of Way workers far below the minimum needed to operate a safe and reliable railroad.” –  Tony D. Cardwell, president of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED-IBT), in an Oct. 27, 2023 letter to Surface Transportation Board (STB) (Source: DTNPF)

Teamsters, your crucial link is powerful! Americans and Canadians depend on YOU.

According to the The Hill, “U.S. and Canadian rail networks are operationally integrated, and a shutdown on the Canadian side of the border would have an immediate impact on the U.S. side, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said.” One of America’s biggest lobbyists – Wench married to Bozo’s E-Commerce!

Union Pacific (UP) CEO Jim Vena says, “For every one day of disruption, you can expect at least 3-5 days of recovery – perhaps even more, given two Canadian railways are impacted” reports Reuters.

Jim, given UPs long reported history of worker disruption, you didn’t see this coming?

Reporting on railroad layoffs, Mary Kennedy of DTNPFnoted highlights of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Administrator’s letter to UPs CEO Jim Vena:  

“The FRA has previously communicated our concerns to UP regarding the potential risks of reducing staffing levels in critical departments such as mechanical operations. Despite FRA’s warnings and recommendations…it is disappointing to see that UP is actively disregarding the federal government’s concerns.”

FRA, perhaps you may get a response if you send concerns to the person in charge of ‘workforce resources’? Oh, but she might be busy. Read that Betty, on top of her previous responsibilities, now includes ‘law, corporate relations and government affairs functions.’  

Canadian rail bosses, appears you’ve followed U.S. pathway. UPs ‘leadership changes’ were ‘effective’ last August. But doesn’t look like much changed. Neither bastard nor wench are doing much except for stakeholders and shareholders.

So when FRA says, “It is imperative that UP prioritizes safety above all else…since your railroad continues to furlough employees…” response is to shuffle Exec’s around promoting more SOBs!

UP, instead of ‘Building”, are you BREAKING DOWN AMERICA?

Greedy SOBs abound. BNSF ‘raked in $1.4 billion’ reports Jacobin, How? ‘Railroad Bosses Gave Millions to Congress to Defeat Their Workers.’ Berk, ‘wholly-owned subsidiary’ still making you look bad?  

“In a March 1 press release, the Shop Craft Unions at BNSF are urgently calling for the FRA to initiate unannounced focus inspections on all locomotives and rail cars owned and leased by BNSF Railway and immediately issue non-compliance orders requiring BNSF to fix all found defects…”

And they’re not alone. Says Mary Kennedy, DTN Basis Analyst, “Shippers who rely on BNSF rail cars have told me that shipments to the Pacific Northwest especially have been delayed not only in the placing of empty cars but also removal of loaded cars that have already been billed and released by the shipper.”

Canada, delays happening in the U.S. too, but with passengers. “Justice Department Files Complaint Against Norfolk Southern to Stop Amtrak Passenger Train Delays.” Yet, neither DOJ nor DOT can do a thing but complain and investigate.

As mining companies, if Executives are happy to broadcast high earning on Wall Street, then workers too should have a share of the profits!

According to The Hill, “CPKC reported a second-quarter net income of Canadian $903 million. Over the last year, the company has reported $1.7 billion in profits and total revenues of $7.1 billion…”

Instead of investing profits back into the company and its employees, they send their leeches to interfere with those wanting stop their ‘bloodsucking’ their workers dry.   

“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Canadian Chamber of Commerce are calling on the Government of Canada to immediately intervene to avert a disruption in the Canadian rail network. A stoppage of rail service will be devastating to Canadian businesses and families and impose significant impacts on the U.S. economy,” the business lobbies said.”

Actually, it ‘will be devastating’ to your profit margins. Norfolk reportedly stated, “We are committed to…honoring our commitments.” Bastards, there is ‘no honor among thieves’ and liars!

Union Pacific, your PR Newswire appears to conclude with some ‘forward-looking statements.’ Or, are they standard forward-looking schemes?

“This news release and related materials contain statements about the Company’s future that are not statements of historical fact…impact on our business operations… supply chains)…hiring challenges; availability of employees…infrastructure improvements, and transportation plan modifications…labor negotiations or agreements…These statements are, or will be, forward-looking statements…management’s beliefs, expectations…concerning matters that are not historical facts…”

“The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information to reflect actual results…If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates…”

Teamsters may be aware of these ‘not historical facts.’ But UP may want to remind ALL their Stakeholders that “Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance…”  

UP and BNSF, heard Pink Floyd’s opening track, “One of These Days”? Recall the line “One of these days, I’m going to cut you into little pieces.” CPKC and CNR, would you like to hear it or see it?

Brace yourself! UPDATES may stop you cold in your tracks! 🙂