Contract talks break off between Unifor, VIA Rail

Unifor yesterday announced that contract talks with VIA Rail Canada Inc. have broken off, setting the stage for a national rail dispute that threatens to disrupt passenger travel across the country later this month. 

After another week of bargaining in Montreal, no tentative agreement was reached between VIA Rail and Unifor's Council 4000 and Local 100 bargaining committees, Unifor officials said in a press release.

A 60-day conciliation period facilitated by federal officials ended May 31. If an agreement isn't reached during a 21-day cooling off period, Unifor could begin a legal strike on June 22. Both parties return to the table on June 17 and bargaining will continue up to the deadline. 

Last week, Unifor announced a majority of its members who work for VIA Rail voted in favor of a strike. One of the union's key issues in the negotiations involves on-board services spare boards, where workers face "chronic short hours and reduced pay due to the employer's mismanagement of the board system," Unifor officials said.

Unifor Council 4000 represents 1,800 VIA Rail employees who work in station services, headquarters, maintenance centers and on trains. Unifor Local 100 represents 700 VIA Rail employees working as diesel engine mechanics, electricians, rail-car technicians and general workers.