BURNABY CUPE is calling on BC Rail bidders to tell communities how they would benefit from a privatized railway.
We think the four corporate bidders should spell out in public meetings exactly how their bid would help the people of those communities, acting CUPE BC president Mark Hancock said.
We know the citizens of communities served by BC Rail do not know what a privatized railway would do for them or to them, he added. They want and need more information than they will get from the secret government in Victoria.
Clearly there would be job loss and that will have an impact on local business and the community tax base, Hancock said. There are potential dangers to road safety as well.
So, letting citizens know at public meetings what is in store if the railway falls into private hands is the responsible thing to do for the successful corporate bidder, he added.
While CUPE doesnt have members in the rail industry, it does have 5,000 members who live in communities along the BC Rail line. Part of the unions ongoing Strong Communities campaign is to build awareness of the impact of privatization on those communities.
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Contact:
Ron Verzuh, CUPE Communications, 604-828-7668.
Go to www.cupe.bc.ca for more information on B.C. Rail privatization.