MONTREAL — Canadian union Unifor has opened contract negotiations with VIA Rail Canada, the union announced Monday, Oct. 28.
The union’s Council 4000 represents 1,800 VIA employees in station services, headquarters, maintenance centers and onboard positions; Local 100 represents 700 employees working as diesel engine mechanics, electricians, railcar technicians, and general workers.
“Our goal in this round of bargaining is to find solutions to critical issues that are impacting the daily lives of our VIA Rail members,” Unifor National President Lana Payne said in a press release. “Our members are proud to work for Canada’s public railway. They are dedicated and committed and looking to improve upon their working conditions.”
The union said its priorities for both groups are to gain wage and benefit improvements, enhance the pension plan, protecting work against privatization and addressing work-life balance, while Local 100 also is concerned about contracting out.
Unifor’s current contract expires Dec. 31. That three-year agreement included raises of 5.5%, 3.5%, and 2.5% [see “Union ratifies three-year agreement with VIA Rail,” Trains News Wire, Aug. 3, 2024].
