A Hudbay-bound freight train came to a standstill for about two hours Wednesday afternoon after the engineer stopped for union picketers.
Nearly 30 IAM Local 1848 picketers and supporters stood beside the train tracks near Gas Bar as the Hudson Bay Railway (HBR) train approached moments before 3 pm.
After the train stopped, the engineer descended to meet with IAM president Rene Beauchamp. After a brief and cordial talk, Beauchamp announced to the picketers that the engineer would not cross as long as the picketers were present.
But the train did indeed carry on across Third Avenue and onto Hudbay around 5 pm. IAM vice-president Blair Sapergia said police asked the picketers to let the train proceed.
Beauchamp said he had made it clear to the engineer that the picketers would not block access if he chose to proceed. He had also instructed picketers not to stand on the tracks.
The Reminder will have more on the protest and the ongoing IAM strike at Hudbay in our Friday print edition.
