On our first episode of In Focus with Melanie Risdon, guests Leighton Grey and Christian Jones weigh in on the ongoing lawsuit against Canadian National Railway (CN Rail) and discuss a new lawsuit being prepared by additional plaintifs. .Several hundred employees are suing the railway headquartered in Montreal, Que., for bringing in a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy in the fall of 2021 that led to thousands of employees either being "coerced into the shot" or put on unpaid leave of absence. .Tune in to the Western Standard on Tuesday, September 13 @ 7 p.m. MDT for In Focus with Melanie Risdon and catch the full interview.. Leighton GreyCivil liberties lawyer, Leighton Grey, Grey Wowk Spencer LLP. .Leighton Grey is an Alberta-based civil liberties lawyer with Grey Wowk Spencer LLP and is the lead lawyer on the lawsuit against CN Rail. The first statement of claim Grey filed in March included 205 plaintiffs claiming their sections 2(a), 7, 8, and 15 of the constitutional rights and freedoms protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. .Another additional lawsuit with 40 plus plaintiffs is also being prepared by Grey and will run in tandem with the first suit. .Grey discusses the tricky environment created with federal mandates being imposed on employees who work for public companies not owned by the government, but regulated by it. As well, those who work under a union also face an uphill battle when looking to take legal action against their employer. . Christian JonesChristian Jones, former CN Rail real estate portfolio manager and lawsuit organizer .Christian Jones, a former employee with CN Rail who managed the company's real estate portfolio for Western Canada, is now one of the lead organizers for the litigation against CN. .Jones was privy to several internal management and town hall meetings when issues around the imposed mandatory vaccination policy were arising. .Jones provided a video clip of one such town hall where he, during an open discussion portion of the meeting, was able to ask CN Rail VP and Treasurer, Vernd Beyer, what the "economic fallout" will be for CN Rail laying off workers in addition to putting several hundred if not thousands of workers off the job who oppose the vaccine mandates. . CN Rail Treasury and Taxation Townhall .Beyer can be seen and heard saying he's "not sure" what will happen to the company if it moves forward with the mandates, but said the company believes "safety is most important." .Jones also included an audio clip of Rahim Karmali, chief engineer for supply chain and technology at CN Rail, moderating a management meeting where he discusses the severe reactions some of his employees experienced after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. . CN Rail management meetingRahim Karmali, chief engineer for supply chain and technology at CN Rail, moderating a management meeting.“I’ve had employees get severe reactions after the shot,” said Karmali in the clip. .He goes on to explain how some experienced such bad reactions they were "unable to function." . Statement of ClaimStatement of Claim against Canadian National Railway, The Minister of Transport, Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, Attorney General of Canada, Director General Rail Safety.As more employees are coming forward to join in legal action against CN Rail or are simply looking to access support, Jones included a link where people can join a Facebook group and connect with him and other CN Rail employees. .Grey said those looking for legal guidance and support can connect with his firm — Grey Wowk Spencer LLP — to either join ongoing litigation brought against several other companies in Canada including CP Rail, CNRL, WestJet, ATCO, Canada Post, etc., or be connected to other lawyers fighting for the rights of Canadians across the country. .READ MORE: Dozens of employees sue CP Rail for $1 million each in damages.READ MORE: UPDATED: 112 WestJet employees suing airline, Government of Canada over vax mandates.READ MORE: WATCH: Postal workers mount legal action against feds, Canada Post over vax mandates.READ MORE: Lawyer representing suspended CNRL staff said most will continue with legal action.READ MORE: Dozens file lawsuit against ATCO for forced vax policy
