A union representing workers at Via Rail has extended a strike deadline that was set for today
(July 11) as contract negotiations with management continue.
Unifor had previously said that a strike would begin at 12:01 a.m. on July 11 if a new deal with
the passenger rail operator was not reached. But in a news release, the union extended the
deadline to 4 p.m. today in hopes that a new deal might be reached without a work stoppage.
Unifor represents 2,400 maintenance workers, on-board service personnel, chefs, sales agents,
and customer service agents at privately held VIA Rail, which operates as a Crown corporation.
In a posting on its website, Via Rail said that bargaining continues, and it remains hopeful that a
national strike can be avoided.
The main issues in the contract negotiations are job security and salary increases, the union
has said.
