MONTREAL — VIA Rail Canada workers represented by Canadian union Unifor have authorized a strike that could come as soon as June 22, the union announced Monday, May 26.
Some 97.5% of workers represented by Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100 voted in favor of strike authorization.
“This strike vote is not just a number — it’s a direct response to VIA Rail’s refusal to bargain fairly,” Unifor National President Lana Payne said in a press release. “Our members have shown they are united, determined, and ready to take action to protect good jobs and public rail service.”
Council 4000 represents about 1,800 workers including on-board service staff, maintenance workers, customer service agents, and administrative employees. Local 100 represents about 700 mechanical and skilled trades workers.
Negotiations were slated to resume Monday as part of the federal conciliation process. The conciliation period ends Saturday, May 31, and is followed by a 21-day cooling-off period. A strike is possible at the conclusion of that period.
The union members have been working without a contract since their prior agreement expired Dec. 31, 2024. Negotiations for a new deal began last October [see “Unifor opens negotiations …,” Trains News Wire, Oct. 28, 2024].
It’s only been since Dec. of 2024 and they’re already considering a strike…good thing they’re Canadian and not in the U.S. otherwise they could be working for 2 or 3 years without a new contract(as it should be). BOTH sides need to negotiate in good faith, and that means those working for a Federal agency(regardless of country) should NOT expect the same treatment as those working in the private sector(there’s a reason many government employees leave govt. work for the private sector) which includes a much longer negotiation process for a union contract. Also, consider the possibility that such an action might just cost you your job permanently(because the govt. just shuts down the agency/function).