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4w ago

Via Rail Workers Grant Unifor Strike Mandate with Potential Action in June

Nearly 98% of unionized workers have authorized a strike, but labor action cannot begin before June 22 due to ongoing conciliation and cooling-off periods.

New passenger trains sit on the tracks at the Via Rail Canada Maintenance Centre in Montreal, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Overview

  • Unifor has received a 97.5% strike mandate from its members representing 2,500 Via Rail workers, including station staff, call center employees, and skilled tradespeople.
  • The conciliation process between Unifor and Via Rail is set to conclude on May 31, followed by a mandatory 21-day cooling-off period.
  • The earliest possible date for a strike is June 22, should negotiations fail to address worker demands for improved wages and working conditions.
  • The union accuses Via Rail of pushing for significant concessions and not meeting monetary expectations outlined by its members.
  • This labor dispute echoes past rail industry conflicts, raising concerns about potential disruptions to passenger services and broader economic impacts.