Teamsters Canada Rail Conference

The economic downturn appears to have hit the rail industry, as Canadian National Rail laid off some of its conductors on Friday.

Without giving any specifics, CN Rail said it has adjusted its workforce due to a decrease in rail traffic.

Kevin Franchuk, a spokesman with CN Rail, noted the company adjusts its active numbers every week.

“That’s what we’ve done here,” he said.

Franchuk wouldn’t say if the cuts are permanent or how many employees are involved.

A source told KTW a total of 11 conductors were let go from the Kamloops rail yard.

There are an estimated 350 employees at the yard.

The head of the employees’ union said he was sorry to hear of the layoffs and his first concern is with those effected.

However, Ross Rykyta, president of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference in Kamloops, said it’s not unusual for the railway to fluctuate employees at times from week to week.

He explained the employees work on a mileage system, which can swing with traffic volumes.

If there’s less volume, the company doesn’t need as many employees.

“It’s one of those things — its traffic volume and the economy,” Rykyta said, adding it is a tough situation.

“I’m sorry people are getting laid off, but it is part of the system.”

He added new employees who were hired when the economy was going strong aren’t as used to the system.