Via Rail optimistic strike can be averted despite weekend deadline
Posted June 25, 2010 8:58 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
With a weekend strike deadline looming, Via Rail remains positive about the chances of reaching a new deal with the union representing more than 2,000 workers.
Via spokesman, Malcolm Andrews, said a strike was averted during the last round of negotiations in 2007.
However, Canadian Auto Workers union representative, Bob Chernecki, said the company has taken a tougher stand in the current round of negotiations.
“This is very unusual for Via. We’ve had a long standing, positive labour relationship throughout the years and this is unusual and troublesome.”
Via workers have been without a collective agreement since December 2009.
In the event a strike occurs, the company has assured passengers it would continue to offer basic service across the country.
The union has set a strike deadline of 11:59 p.m. Sunday night.
In July 2009, locomotive engineers at Via Rail went on strike, effectively shutting down the bulk of national passenger rail service across Canada for a number of days.
But Via explained that happened because, in that work stoppage, those actually driving the trains were on strike.
