As the snow flies through the streets of Jasper, CN workers huddle around a fire along the picketline, trading stories, keeping each other alert as dusk turns to twilight. Accustomed to long hours, they take their shifts along the line, while community members drop off warm meals for the striking employees.

The CN engineers went on strike on Nov. 27 at midnight, after a year without a contract. CN and the management team from the Teamsters Union had been unable to come to an agreement before the deadline.

Local union president Brian Nesbitt said there is a lot of misunderstanding about the job engineers do, and how they get paid, which is being used to portray them as underworked and overpaid.

That’s far from reality, Nesbitt said.

Engineers are paid by the mile, as they must work 3,800 miles a month. The new proposed contract ups the miles to 4,300 miles a month – something Nesbitt said will create a safety hazard. By extending hours on the road, some engineers will have to work seven days a week, he said.

“There is a limit how much we can do safely,” Nesbitt said. “These trains are coming into town. We don’t want an accident.”

He said while most companies are moving towards increased emphasis on safety, longer hours for engineers could make things more dangerous.

While CN states management is only asking engineers to work an extra four hours a month, Nesbitt said that’s not how it works.

For example Nesbitt, a senior engineer, works between seven and eight shifts a month, travelling between Edson and Jasper. Each shift require him to be away from home for 20 hours at a time or more. Other engineers work up to 15 shifts a month, and find themselves away from home up to 40 hours at a time. They are on call during those periods, and face several restrictions.

“Anyone who’s spent time in Jasper knows how long the CN guys are out of town... It’s not a regular nine to five job,” Nesbitt said.

Proposals to change work requirements will have long term implications in Jasper.

Increasing mileage will likely result in layoffs, Nesbitt said. Since engineers will be required to travel farther, fewer will likely be needed to work.

“This will likely cause more reductions in staff in Jasper,” Nesbitt said. “It will likely translate into layoffs down the line.... It will be harder for guys to get time off.”

The union estimates 220 jobs will be lost because of the changes.

The changes proposed are designed to increase productivity, and bring engineer schedules in line with those of conductors, according to CN spokesperson Mark Hallman. But Nesbitt, a former town councillor who had to step down due to the time demands of his job, said the changes are affecting the social fabric of Jasper. Many CN workers used to volunteer frequently in the community, however it’s getting harder for them to make those commitments.

“It takes a toll on us and our families. It takes us away from the community,” Nesbitt said.

He also states engineers have become more efficient – something CN is asking for.

 Since Nesbitt started in 1976, he said trains are twice as long, carry twice as much freight and have half the number of engineers.

“We’ve provided many efficiencies to the CN,” Nesbitt said.

The federal government has introduced back to work legislation, which could see the CN engineers back on the job by the end of the week. News reports crackle with stories of lost revenue – how the strike could affect the economy. Yet there are many questions remaining about the back to work legislation.

Daniel Shewchuck, president of the Teamsters Rail conference, said CN never had any intention of negotiating a settlement.

“This is far too obvious. CN has never had any intention to negotiate and is simply waiting for government intervention to settle the issues,” Shewchuck said.

Other unions in Jasper are supporting the CN workers, Nesbitt said, as they are donating food and other items to the men on the picket line.

“We’re getting support from our brothers and sisters with the conductors and other unions in town. Businesses are bringing us food... we’re getting great support from the community,” Nesbitt said.

Unions and management have often used pattern bargaining when negotiating wage increases. That means wage increases to one rail union would apply across the board. However this time, CN has chosen not to embark on that method. The lowest increase to rail workers has been three per cent. CN is offering 1.5 per cent.

Nesbitt said locally, wages aren’t the issue. Jasper engineers are more concerned about the time changes.

Mark Hallman, a Toronto-based spokesman with CN, said the company is following the back-to-work proceedings that are moving through the legislature.

“The union failed to make substantial movement over the weekend. We’re now focused on using qualified managers to serve our customers,” Hallman said.

He could not say at what capacity the trains were operating, only that CN had launched a contingency plan.

Hallman said on average, across the country, the change will require engineers to work 41 hours a week – up from 37 hours.

“We’re under a new regime and that requires engineers to work 16 to 18 days per month. Their average salary is $100,000. In terms of hours, it represents an average jump from 37 to 41 hours per week.

In contrast, CEO of CN Hunter Harrison received total compensation of $13.35 million in 2008. The company posted a profit of $1.27 billion in 2009.

Nesbitt questions management’s numbers, and said they don’t take into account time the engineers are on call and away from home. Even as a senior engineer, he said he’s rarely at home, and doesn’t get paid if the train isn’t moving.

“Just try to reach me at home and see how often I’m there,” Nesbitt said.