Detroit-based Grand Trunk Western (GTW), which is owned by Canadian National Railway (CN), operates approximately 900 miles of track in Michigan, Illinois and Ohio.

Despite numerous bargaining sessions since negotiations began two years ago, GTW has yet to make any legitimate offer to settle a contract. BMWE members are informing GTW's customers of this situation and the reasons for a possible disruption in service.

"GTW is refusing to bargain in good faith. They apparently believe that if they stall long enough, the members will settle for a substandard contract. They could not be more wrong," said BMWE General Chairman Perry Geller.

GTW wants contract modifications that would make it easier to contract out work now performed by BMWE members. The most ridiculous GTW demand is that the contract would only run through the rest of 1997.

"After putting the employees through two years of frustration, they want to start the process all over again; that's crazy," said BMWE General Chairman Paul Beard.

The BMWE believes the agreement reached with nearly every fright railroad in the U.S. in September 1996 should be the basis for settlement with GTW.

"Our members on GTW are as productive and work in the same harsh conditions as on any other railroad," said BMWE President Mac A. Fleming. "They deserve the same wages and benefits as well."