London Free Press

In the words of one long-time employee at Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. in London, "We make damn good locomotives."

That might be the only issue on which locked-out workers and their employer, Progress Rail Services, agree.

The rail division of U.S. heavy-equipment giant Caterpillar Inc. bought the London plant in June 2010, and within months was in contract talks. There were early signs those talks were spiralling downward when, in May, they agreed they couldn't reach a deal in the time allotted.

In October, in Muncie., Ind., lower-paid Progress Rail workers rolled out their first two locomotives from a refurbished plant. Not only could the London-type locomotives be produced elsewhere, they were, indeed being produced elsewhere.

The high-stakes labour dispute has thrown the lives of 700 London employees - and the families of another 1,200 people whose work supplies EMD - into turmoil.

Ontario Federation of Labour president Sid Ryan calls this a key battleground for all Canadian unions.

Progress Rail says its offer of drastic wage, benefits and pension cuts represents its best effort to remain competitive.

Both sides have shown they're willing and able to stand their ground.

These are local jobs, local injections into the economy, local contributions to making a world-class product.

A multi-party investment of training and technology - and federal tax breaks - has made it possible for this plant to succeed here for 61 years. Those investments have come from the company, employees, the broader community and governments.

The same politicians, business leaders and community groups who found EMD worthy of applause when things were going well also need to make their voices heard now that things are not.

There's a role for them to play in offering to broker talks, to encourage Progress Rail and the Canadian Auto Workers union to explore avenues of compromise. Start from a position this won't be resolved if the only question posed is: Are you on the side of union politics or profit margins?

It's about families and fairness, competitive advantage and quality products. It's about making great locomotives using local skills that can't be moved, shouldn't be moved, anywhere else.