Right Honourable Stephen Harper, PC MP
Prime Minister of Canada
And Conservative Party of Canada Caucus
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

Dear Prime Minister Harper:

RE: TEAMSTERS CANADA RAIL CONFERENCE – CP RAIL

On Tuesday June 29, 2007, six members of Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC),on strike against CP Rail, were arrested by CP Rail police while legally picketing outside CP Rail’s Coquitlam terminal.

Video of the incident clearly shows a peaceful, legal action of the union pickets and absolutely no evidence to suggest any of the six should have been arrested. The use of this type of intimidating behaviour not only has no place in Canadian labour relations it is a clear abuse of the power granted by the federal government to CP Rail police.

Clearly this private police force has overstepped its bounds and authority, and in doing so violated the charter rights of the six TCRC members.

On June 1, 2007 Canadian Industrial Relations Board Vice-Chair Stan Lanyon ruled the matter beyond the Board’s jurisdiction. We believe the matter merits a full public inquiry that must be conducted forthwith, and request such from your government.

Please do not hesitate to contact my office should you require any information or assistance.

Sincerely,
JIM SINCLAIR
President