(The following appeared on the Progressive Railroading website on October 22, 2009.)
On Tuesday, the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) announced the union has opened contract talks with VIA Rail Canada Inc. The CAW hopes to reach a new collective agreement for its three bargaining units covered by a VIA Rail contract that expires on Dec. 31.
The union represents more than 2,000 VIA Rail on-train and clerical workers, including ticket vendors and maintenance employees.
“A fair agreement on job security will be imperative to reaching a new contract,” said CAW President Ken Lewenza in a prepared statement, referring to maintenance work that VIA Rail plans to outsource.