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CAW Local 100 represents workers in Canada's Rail Transportation sector and Automobile Loading - Off Loading facilities at; Canadian National Railway, VIA Rail, Algoma Central Railway, Exeter Terminal Railway, Hudson Bay Railway, Carlton Trail Railway and AutoPort Inc.

Rail Transportation: At a Glance

Decades of restructuring have drastically changed the landscape of rail transportation in Canada. Deregulation and privatization in the 80s and 90s not only resulted in the growth of non-union short-line railways it also created a climate of cutthroat competition and contributed to massive job cuts. In fact, over the last twenty years Canada's rail industry has lost over 33,000 jobs.

Despite this downward pressure, big rail corporations in Canada have continued to reap the benefits of a largely privatized system. This success has largely come at the expense of workers.

CAW members have fought hard to protect the integrity of their jobs and the safety of the public during this painful restructuring. Now that the industry is primed for steady employment growth in the future, it is important to ensure that all new jobs remain union jobs.

The 2007 funding announcement of nearly $700 million for VIA Rail's passenger service is an important step in rebuilding and enhancing our public rail transit system. It was the result of a national campaign launched by the CAW, and supported by communities across the country, to protect this important public institution. Collectively, the union must remain vigilant in its efforts to resist future privatization threats and ensure that funding arrangements, such as this, remain intact.