Running Trades - a Voice for Canadian Railway Labour

Source: TCRC

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

We are saddened to announce the sudden and unexpected loss of Brother Richard Dyon, General Chairman of the VIA Rail General Committee. Brother Richard was a loving husband, father, Union brother and good friend.

Brother Richard was devoted and passionate about his family, his work as a locomotive engineer and General Chairman, spending much of his time working very hard to represent our members. He was a career railroader who took a keen interest in helping his Union sisters and brothers becoming Local Chairman and then General Chairman. His proud and distinguished Union career is highlighted by holding positions as General Chairman of CN Central Region, being one of the founding Charter Executive Board members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference as National Secretary Treasurer and then General Chairman for VIA Central Region.

The funeral will be held in Laval, QC this Friday, February 5th , 2010 and a memorial link to the services is provided below.

We share the loss of a good friend and Brother and our sincere thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Fraternally,
D.J. Shewchuk
President

Memorial link

Source: TCRC

Sister and Brothers,

As per our discussions last week relative to the rumours regarding certain aspects of the Brotherhood Relief and Compensation Fund (BRCF). The question that was asked is as follows:

Question: If a member of BRCF attains 45 demerits at some point, is their BRCF policy suspended?

Answer: The answer to your question regarding suspension of membership benefits at 45 demerits is... no, the membership is not automatically suspended. Your question deserves a more detailed answer... a single incident wherein 45 demerits are assessed will not alter or suspend the member's entitlement to future benefits for eligible occurrences. On the other hand, if a member has acquired 45 demerits for several different types of claims over a relatively short period of time (and if some are for ineligible occurrences, examples are missing calls, late for work, insubordination, altercations) we may decide to reduce the member's level of participation and refund excess dues until the member is discipline free for at least a year.