Spring 2004
Volume 111 - No. 1
Spring 2004
Volume 111 - No. 1
BLET Focus
TCRC: A new force in Canada
BLE Canada off to a good start as Teamsters Canada Rail Conference
When an 81% majority of members voted to merge with the Teamsters, they voted to split the former International Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers into two parts.
In the U.S., the organization became part of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; and in Canada, the organization merged with Teamsters Canada.
Teamsters Canada has more than 110,000 members. The former BLE portion of Teamsters Canada is now known as Teamster Canada Rail Conference, or TCRC.
"It is a great day for both locomotive engineers and Teamsters members in Canada," said Teamsters Canada President Robert Bouvier, who was one of the merger's main promoters. "It's also a great day for all transportation workers."
"All active rail transportation industry members will now benefit from a single and strong voice when it comes to negotiating with employers," added François Laporte, director of public relations and government affairs for Teamsters Canada. "Railway workers understood that they had everything to gain by uniting and everything to lose by isolating themselves."
Teamsters Canada represents several industries, including transport, retail, motion picture, brewery & soft drink, construction, dairy, warehouse, and, now, railroad workers.
As in the United States, representatives of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees in Canada are discussing an affiliation or merger with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.
Early Dividends
The merger has already had a positive impact on Canadian rail workers.
In February, the TCRC was able to successfully fend off a raid from the larger United Transportation Union. Acting against the wishes of its members, UTU leaders forced a "winner take all" election at the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Not only did TCRC keep its original 1,700 locomotive engineers, it added 2,800 trainmen who formerly belonged to the UTU.
Teamsters Canada History
It was in 1906 that the first Canadian joined the Teamsters Union. The Canadian Conference of Teamsters was created in 1976; this was done in recognition of the special needs, interests and aspirations of its Canadian membership. The Canadian membership has grown from 74,000 members, to more than 110,000 members today. In 1992, a motion was presented to the General Executive Board to change the name of the 'Canadian Conference of Teamsters' to 'Teamsters Canada', in recognition of the special sovereign needs of Canadians. In 1994, delegates at the Teamsters Canada Special Convention approved bylaws changes which authorized Teamsters Canada to take a greater role in administering the affairs of Canadian members and affiliates within the International Union.
In 1994, Teamsters Canada created a strike fund for its Canadian membership. This strike fund is administrated by Teamsters Canada Financial Service Department.
Teamsters Canada: An Autonomous Organization
In 1995, Teamsters Canada negotiated the terms of a proposed Canadian sovereignty amendment to the International Constitution, which would grant Teamsters Canada more autonomy and control over Canadian membership issues. To that effect, an amendment was passed at the International Convention in 1996 creating the post of President of Teamsters Canada, the candidate to that post is to be elected by Canadian membership. Other changes to the IBT Constitution are being contemplated to recognize Canadian sovereignty.
In June 2001, an historic agreement was finally reached between the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and Teamsters Canada. This agreement entrenched into the International Constitution the sovereignty of Canadian members, local unions, joint councils and the union's governing authority in Canada.
© 2004 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen