Calgary, AB, February 4, 2019 – Three members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) have died as a result of a major Canadian Pacific (CP) train derailment. The accident occurred at approximately 1 a.m. Mountain Time between Field, BC and Calgary, AB.
Details
are sparse at this stage. Teamsters have learned that the
Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has deployed a team of
investigators to the crash. The union will cooperate fully with the
TSB and CP, monitoring the investigation’s progress closely.
“Our hearts and our deepest condolences go out to the victims’ loved ones and co-workers. Our union and its 125,000 members stand with them in mourning,” said François Laporte, president of Teamsters Canada.
The three victims are believed to be a locomotive engineer, a
conductor, and a conductor trainee. Their names have not yet been
released.
Eight railway workers have now died in Canada since
November 2017. Investigations into these accidents are still
ongoing.
“Today, our focus is on this accident as well as the victims’ friends and families. But moving forward, the government and the rail industry will have to recognize that something is wrong and change is needed. Eight workplace fatalities in a little over a year is not something that should be expected or accepted,” said Lyndon Isaack, President of the TCRC.
Teamsters represent close to 125,000 workers across
Canada, including over 16,000 workers in the rail industry. The
International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with which Teamsters Canada
is affiliated, has 1.4 million members in North America.
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Media requests:
Christopher Monette
Director of Public Affairs
Teamsters Canada
Cell: 514-226-6002
cmonette@teamsters.ca
