Teamsters Union Releases Shocking Video Footage of Picket Line Arrests by CP Rail Police Force - Teamsters Canada, Maintenance of Way Employees Division
Bill Brehl, the President of Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, Maintenance of Way Employees Division, says the arrests were completely unprovoked and unnecessarily violent. "We have the whole thing on video. All the members were peacefully picketing between the lines of a public crosswalk in front of CPR property. The CPR police came in force and told them to move along or they would arrest them. Then they almost immediately began dragging them off the picket line and handcuffing them. The video has sound and none of the members were belligerent or offered resistance. However, there is one officer who forcibly wrenches a member's arm way up at an unnatural angle and then viciously kicks him to the ground. It is horrible to watch."
The graphic video footage, released at a news conference in Vancouver today, outraged BC Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair. Sinclair is calling for a public inquiry into the special powers granted to private police forces that are being used by an increasing number of companies across the country. "This is not just a labour issue. It's an attack on the rights and freedoms union members and all Canadian citizens have fought long and hard to achieve" says Sinclair.