Report: B.C. Rail lockout expected to end today
VANCOUVER (Jan, 5, 2000) — B.C. Rail will end its week-old lockout after a tentative labor deal was reached between representatives of the provincially owned company and seven unions, the Canadian Press reported.
B.C. Rail, CanadaÕs third-largest railway, operates 1,446 miles (2,328 kilometers) of track in British Columbia with a main line that runs from Vancouver to Fort Nelson. Its core business involves the shipment of forest products and coal. Its workers have been without a contract for two years.
A provincial mediator was brought in last week to end the dispute. The unions had bristled at BC RailÕs demands for “productivity” improvements.
BC Rail has said it needs to reduce operating costs to remain competitive with trucks and other railways, but the company’s unions have complained its proposal will eliminate jobs and create safety risks.
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