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Union not too excited over new contract work at Ontario Northland

Ontario Northland has announced that some new contract work has meant some laid off workers are now being asked to return to work.

Ontario Northland has announced that some new contract work has meant some laid off workers are now being asked to return to work. 

Officials at Ontario Northland announced they have secured more contract work which includes heavy repair on ore cars, lumber car repairs for rail leasing companies, heavy maintenance and repairs on a fleet of 300 box cars used in the newsprint industry and locomotive maintenance and engine rebuilds for a local railway company. 

Vice President John Thib believes the ONR reputation along with their quality work and enhanced sales efforts have combined to attract the much needed new business. 

“Over the past year we have expanded our repair, refurbishment and remanufacturing services,” stated Thib in a release. 

“Our customers appreciate that we operate our own railroad. We understand the challenges they face with equipment and can offer solutions because we too face them. We are committed to growing this part of our business and know that it enhances our local and regional economies.”

Andy Mitchell, the Unifor Local 103 President believes this is a step in the right direction but he says it’s only short-term contract work. 

“Work is coming in and five Car Men have ben called back,” said Mitchell Thursday afternoon.

“We still have a long way to go to bring the work back up but it’s good to see work in the shops,” he added. 

Mitchell is hopeful that the ONTC can secure a contract with Procor rail cars, a contract that’s expected to be awarded in the fall of 2015. 

Some new tank car standards in Canada and the United States unveiled recently will force Procor to have thousands of its older rail cars needing to be what Mitchell calls “re-qualified.” 

A longer term contract like that would be even better news for the ONTC and its workers.

Mitchell says another piece of good news would be Go Transit work which he says was promised by the Wynne government.

“We need her to keep her promise to bring Metrolinx here as an anchor contract.  The Premier promised that and it has never come to be,” said Mitchell.    

Mitchell says the mood amongst the union is that the ONTC is still in what they call the “downsizing mode,” as ONTC officials have given the Union notice that 11 clerical staff will be let go.  


Chris Dawson

About the Author: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson has been with BayToday.ca since 2004. He has provided up-to-the-minute sports coverage and has become a key member of the BayToday news team.
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