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With five GO coaches left CAW asks 'What's next?'

CAW Local 103 ******************* The GO Transit refurbishment contract that was awarded to Ontario Northland in 2004 is coming to a projected end, on-time and on-target with the remaining GO Transit coaches being delivered to Metrolinx in the coming
Kate Adams
CAW Local 103

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The GO Transit refurbishment contract that was awarded to Ontario Northland in 2004 is coming to a projected end, on-time and on-target with the remaining GO Transit coaches being delivered to Metrolinx in the coming weeks.

“With the delivery of the next GO Transit coach slated for August 15th, we’ll have only 5 GO coaches left in our facilities, the equivalent of 10 more weeks of work. Our members and the community at large are asking what happens after the GO Transit and recently announced Polar Bear Express work dries up?” said Brian Kelly, President of CAW Local 103.

Metrolinx announced on July 14, 2011 that they would be awarding a $120M refurbishing contract to CAD rail located in Montreal PQ solely on the “lowest price” basis. It has since been disclosed by Metrolinx that they awarded the contract without even viewing the site to determine if CAD has the physical capacity or even the skills necessary to perform the work.

“We are still at a lost to understand, given the increasing tide of frustration with the government from across the entire North why the Premier refuses to take a leadership role and intervene. Premier McGuinty must stop this deal and award the project to the ONTC”, continued Kelly.

“We find it interesting that Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne can pick up the phone and tell Metrolinx CEO Bruce McCuaig to cancel a contract for art work as she did today on the new Eglinton LRT line but the Premier steadfastly refuses do the same thing with the Metrolinx deal with CAD”, added Kelly.

“This decision can be overturned by The Premier and it must be overturned. This contract is too important to the communities and people who work at and are serviced by the ONTC. We are not going away”, concluded Kelly.

The CAW Local 103 represents clerical, stores, rail and bus maintenance, on-board service Cochrane Station Inn employees, customer service clerks and crew management center and express services employees at Ontario Northland in North Bay, New Liskeard, Englehart, Kirkland Lake, Rouyn PQ, Cochrane, Timmins, Hearst and Moosonee.

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