"Major disruption" looms as VIA Rail receives 72-hour strike notice

VIA Rail says train services across Canada could be suspended next week after it received a 72-hour strike notice from the union representing approximately 2,400 workers.

“VIA Rail workers are frustrated that the employer continues to push concessions and not work towards a fair and equitable collective agreement for our members,” said Scott Doherty, executive assistant to Unifor’s national president and lead negotiator, in a statement posted online.

“Unifor members at VIA are highly skilled and contributed to the success of the company. We will do whatever it takes to get members the collective agreement that they deserve.”

If maintenance workers, on-board service personnel, chefs, sales agents and customer service staff at VIA cannot reach a deal by Monday, July 11, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. EST they will be on the picket line and service will be suspended.

From June 20 to July 1, 2022, both Unifor Council 4000 and Unifor Local 100 conducted strike votes with VIA Rail members across Canada.

The results for the vote were 99.4 per cent in favour of strike action at Local 100 and 99.3 per cent in favour of strike action from Council 4000 members.

At the table, VIA Rail continued to push for concessions including the removal of the Supplemental Agreement for both Unifor Council 4000 and Unifor Local 100 members.

“The removal of the supplemental agreement will result in the loss of job security,” Unifor says.

As part of the usual collective agreement renewal process, VIA Rail and Unifor will continue to negotiate, VIA noted in a statement Thursday evening (July 7).

Strike would be a “major disruption”

VIA Rail “remains committed” to holding negotiations in good faith in an effort to reach a new agreement without any disruption of service before the deadline.

"VIA Rail has made every effort to reach an agreement with UNIFOR. We continue to talk with the union and remain committed to negotiating a fair and reasonable contract," said Martin R. Landry, president and CEO at VIA Rail. "Unfortunately, if no agreement is reached, VIA Rail will be forced to suspend all services for the duration of the strike and until normal operations can safely resume.”

Landry recognized this would be a “major disruption” for passengers and for communities across the country.

“This potential work disruption comes at a time when we have resumed nearly all of our services,” Landry said. “We deeply regret that it will negatively impact our efforts to support the recovery of Canada's tourism industry and cut off the essential role we play in transporting Canadians, and connecting many remote communities including indigenous communities."

Via Rail says affected passengers may change their reservation at no cost (service charges will be waived during this time) or may opt for a full refund of unused tickets.

Customers looking for more information about VIA Rail's services during the work disruption or with individual inquiries concerning their travel plans are invited to visit viarail.ca, which will be updated regularly or call 1-888-VIA-RAIL (842-7245) or 1-800 268-9503 (TTY for the hearing impaired).

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