Union ratifies new agreements with VIA Rail Canada
Unifor, the union representing more than 1,600 VIA Rail Canada employees, has ratified tentative agreements with the passenger carrier reached in January. The two-year agreements include a 2% wage increase, benefit improvements, and a review of several work rules. “We are delighted by the ratification of the collective agreements. Our employees are key contributors to VIA Rail’s success, without whom the fulfillment of our mission to put our passengers first would not be possible,” Martine Rivard, VIA chief employee experience officer, said in a press release. “I would like to thank Unifor’s representatives and national president, Jerry Dias, as well as the negotiating teams and conciliator. The determination and professionalism of everyone involved led to fair and reasonable agreements despite the unique challenges faced over the last year.”
Brightline names Kefauver as senior VP, corporate development
Brightline has named Christine Kefauver as senior vice president of corporate development. She will lead the company’s government affairs and community outreach in Central Florida. She served as transportation advisor for Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer for seven years, playing a key part in the development of commuter railroad SunRail among other transportation initiatives over the last 30 years. “Christine is the right leader for Brightline to build a strong and active presence in Central Florida,” Brightline President Patrick Goddard said in a press release. “Christine understands the history and future opportunities of the region and has built a strong reputation with all those involved in effecting change within the transportation sector.”
Canadian grain shippers call for more rail capacity, improved service
As Canadian National and Canadian Pacific have posted a series of records for Canadian grain shipment, a shippers’ group is calling for railways to expand capacity and service offerings to ensure the grain industry’s needs are met. Canada’s Western Grain Elevator Association says service still falls short of demand, or to keep pace with growth. “Grain production is increasing at a rate of 3% per year, which means exports will grow at a rate closer to 4% due to the fact that domestic consumption is not growing at the same rate as production,” Wade Sobkowich, executive director of the WGEA, said in a press release. In preparation, grain companies have expanded country elevator storage by 13.9%, port terminal storage by 11.2% and increased system throughput by 16.5% over the last five years; according to the Federal Grain Monitor, over the same five-year period, railway fleet sizes have increased by 2.5% and loaded weight per car has increased by 3.1%, but car cycle times have grown by 19%. Sobkowich also said grain shipments by rail have benefited from reduced demand in other areas during the pandemic and a mild winter: “What is going to happen after the pandemic when things return to normal and other sectors throttle up again? What will happen in 2021-22 if we have a normal winter?”
Brightline’s naming of Kefauver borders on genius. They’re getting someone who’s already dealt with the very NIMBYs she’ll again be dealing with.