Plan to get trucks off the 401 has rail union support

The two billion dollar plan to get trucks off the 401, proposed by CPR last week to the Federal Transport Minister, has the support of rail workers, says Tim Secord, the Canadian Legislative Director of the United Transportation Union.

“We’re ready to do our part. Obviously it will mean more jobs for rail workers, but for the general public there are also big advantages. Rail workers are subject to much tougher safety regulations than truckers including a rigorous operating code, mandatory drug and alcohol testing and a much tougher hours of service regime. If there is a crash in the rail industry the Transportation Safety Board investigates. We get answers and improvement are made,” said Secord in a release.

The United Transportation Union represents 8,500 Canadian workers
including conductors and yard personnel at CP and CN Rail.