A strike by some 2,400 Via Rail employees was averted, the conclusion of a tentative agreement having been announced in the middle of the night on Tuesday by the management of the rail carrier and the Unifor union.
Rail services will therefore be maintained pending the union members’ ratification votes. Via Rail nevertheless continues to offer customers the possibility of modifying their travel plans without service charges for any departure scheduled before July 31st.
Unifor says details of the new contract won’t be released until the deal has been approved by members. The press release from Via Rail’s management specifies, however, that once ratified, the collective agreements will be retroactive to January 1, 2022 and in force until December 31, 2024.
Unionized employees had a strike mandate over 99% at meetings held from June 20 to July 1 across Canada.
In Quebec, Unifor is affiliated with the FTQ.
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