THE PULSE
NEWSLETTER OF THE CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF RECYCLING INDUSTRIES
VOLUME 20, Issue 2, February 2015
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Our industry depends on our ability to move material in a timely and cost-efficient manner. I’m sure many of us have been paying particular attention these past few weeks to the threats of strike in shipyards and railways. We are relieved that CN recently negotiated a tentative collective agreement with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference-Rail Canada Traffic Controllers, and a ratified agreement with the United Steelworkers. Unfortunately 4,800 mechanical, intermodal, and clerical CN employees who are members of Unifor may be locked out on Monday, February 23. CN reports that they will continue to operate with management employees taking over the Unifor duties.
Disruptions in these services can be costly to our business, but rail service has been a problem for many CARI members for years. We still find rail service too inconsistent to provide the reliable and predictable service that our members need to remain competitive.
CARI believes regulations are required to address potential abuse of market power by the railways. In 2010, CARI joined the Coalition of Rail Shippers (CRS), a group of industry associations lobbying for changes to the shipper protection provisions of the Canada Transportation Act. Collectively the coalition represents 80% of CN and CP railways’ revenue. The coalition argues that inconsistent rail service is a problem with almost every sector served by the railways, and efficient transportation of commodities by rail is crucial to Canada’s economic growth.
CRS has made addressing the current Canada Transportation Act review one of its top priorities. CARI believes that this review provides an opportunity to balance the bargaining power between railways and their customers and improve service for Canada’s shippers.
CARI will continue to focus on this issue and keep members informed.
Adam Chisick
CARI Chair
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ONTARIO CHAPTER SPRING MEETING
MARCH 25, 2015
DELTA MEADOWVALE, MISSISAUGA
Join us for a chance to network and to learn from one of Ontario’s largest metal shredders.Our guest speaker is Rob Whistle from Gerdau. Rob will discuss how more valuable metal content can be pulled from your scrap and give examples of unshreddable material.
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FAST FACTS
- According to a study by the UK charity “Green Alliance,” more than 200,000 jobs could be created in the UK as the economy shifts to reusing traditionally discarded materials. The move to circular business models could stimulate jobs in areas of high unemployment that specialise in services exported to the rest of the country, the report argued.
- Former CARI member Recycler’s Source Solutions is closing its doors. Contact information for technical service, warranty, and spare parts is available through [email protected].
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Canadian Association of Recycling Industries
130 Albert Street Suite 1906
Ottawa, On K1P 5G4
Canada
Telephone: 613-728-6946
Fax: 705-835-6196
