There are 6,000. And the way the grievance procedure works in the railway, you and I will be retired before that grievance is heard, if your number is 6,001.
A climate of fear is what we've called it. It's a style of management that says they're going to change our lives and threaten our jobs and we'll do whatever they want us to do, without complaint. That's the way they run their company.
I'll pass it on to my friends, who will have more direct.... Mr. Brehl looks after CP more than CN, but I'm sure Mr. Smith will have some direct stories.
When I first talked about Brother McDavid, who was fired for not having his boot laces correctly tied when leaving a cab to check out, some MPs told me I was a liar and I had made it up. I proceeded to bring them the case of Brother McDavid. I told him it would make him a poster boy. He was returned to work with all demerits removed, with interest pay--and you know the results of that. The company is willing to pay that to get their absolute control over membership.
Thank God we have the Teamsters union, because their answer is no.
When you ask these companies politely and nicely to do things...these are not companies like those in the air world who have a more mature relationship. These companies are not particularly friendly to workers. And quite bluntly, if they treat us that way, I'm sure they treat their customers the same way.
I'm shocked. If I were a shareholder I would be upset. You're absolutely correct that workers who are happy, who feel they have a place, are more productive and make more money for a company. I just wonder how much money those companies are leaving on the table for the shareholders.