Home   |   Who We Are   |   Contact Us   |   Search   |   Français

December 6, 2006 CAW - VIA Rail Campaign The CAW National Union, working with National Council 4000, Local 100 and the VIA units, have commenced a national campaign to bring public and government attention to the funding shortfalls by the Harper government for VIA Rail.  This is an incredibly important campaign for our members, their families and their communities.   Recently, CAW President Buzz Hargrove sent letters to the Harper government requesting a meeting on this important issue.  The campaign will include postcards that we ask be filled out and sent to your MP and buttons that highlight the importance of the campaign.   The campaign was launched formally at the Quebec Council, November24-26, which is the parliament of the CAW in Quebec.   Delegates are the top leadership from the total union in Quebec.  Luc Desnoyers, Quebec Director gave the delegates an extensive overview in his report of this campaign, encouraging the whole union in Quebec to participate in the campaign and introduced a resolution in support of this effort, which was unanimously endorsed by over 200 of the Union’s top leaders in Quebec.  Desnoyers committed his full support to the campaign including raising this issue with both federal and provincial elected members of the political parties.   On December 8-10 in Toronto, the CAW Council meets as they do every three months to deal with the numerous issues facing the CAW nationally.  Buzz Hargrove, as part of this Council, provides an in depth report to over 800 top leadership from across Canada.   His report will include outlining the VIA campaign and the importance of the full CAW membership participating in support of VIA workers.  A similar resolution will be forthcoming at the CAW Council where the CAW expects total support from across the country. As previously reported, the CAW VIA Rail Campaign will include billboards in twelve major cities across the country.  Below you will find the listing for these locations and a picture of the billboard that will be featured.  This is designed to bring public attention to the campaign.  We must have the full support of our VIA members and the entire CAW membership in order to ensure that VIA Rail is supported and that the necessary funding is secured so that we protect important jobs of our members and their families.  The VIA system has been described as a jewel of the nation as it ties the country together from coast to coast to coast.  Please give the campaign your full support. Location: Date: Halifax Montreal Ottawa Oshawa Toronto Brampton Mississauga Scarborough London Windsor Winnipeg Vancouver December 4 - 4 weeks January 1 - 4 weeks December 4 - 8 weeks     December 4 - 8 weeks      December 4 - 8 weeks      December 25 - 8 weeks December 4 - 8 weeks     December 4 - 8 weeks     December 4 - 8 weeks     December 4 - 8 weeks     December 4 - 8 weeks December 18 - 8 weeks December 4 - 8 weeks Post cards (below) will also be distributed for mailouts to Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities: