Southfield, MI, June 26, 2002 — This afternoon the National Mediation Board certified the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes as the union to represent 473 track, bridge and dock workers on Wisconsin Central Transportation Corporation for purposes of the Railway Labor Act. The NMB certified the BMWE after conducting a card check and confirmed that 55% of the eligible workers signed cards. Canadian National Railroad, WC’s parent company, had agreed to card check recognition.

The maintenance of way employees on the WC have been unorganized for over sixteen years due to a series of line sales by the former SOO Line, Chicago & North Western and Fox River Valley Railroads. "We are glad to welcome these workers back into the BMWE and look forward to their full participation in the union," said Director of Organizing Paul Swanson. The WC maintenance of way forces were the largest unorganized work force in the U. S. or Canada maintaining tracks, bridges and structures.

Locals in Escanaba, Michigan, and Eau Claire, Green Bay and Fond du Lac, Wisconsin have already elected local officers and bargaining committees in preparation for negotiations with the CN / WC for a new contract. The BMWE leadership and staff will prepare bargaining demands to serve on the carrier and commence bargaining as quickly as the RLA allows. Local bargaining committee representatives will participate in all bargaining sessions.

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