(The following story by Josh Wingrove appeared on the Globe and Mail website on July 21, 2009.)
TORONTO — VIA Rail has started cancelling some of its longer routes as it faces a looming strike deadline set by the union representing its engineers.
The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference union informed VIA Tuesday that its members would go on strike Friday, July 24, at noon ET if the two sides don’t reach a new deal. A mediator has been brought in.
The union’s 340 engineers have been without a contract since Dec. 31, 2006. They’re looking for improved wages and benefits, scheduling that allows them two consecutive days off, and increased training schedules for engineers.
“Many of the issues related to what we’re trying to achieve here are quality-of-life issues,” TCRC president Dan Shewchuk said.
As the two sides negotiate in Montreal this week, VIA has started cancelling longer routes to ensure passengers won’t be stranded in the event of a strike. It also began issuing refunds and rescheduling trips of passengers who bought tickets on trains that would be affected by any labour action.
“In general, VIA will ensure that passengers departing prior to noon [ET] this Friday are transported to destination, either by train or by alternate means,” the company said in a statement.
All trains would be cancelled if the engineers walk out, except for those on the Sudbury-White River and Victoria-Courtenay routes, which are run by a third party. Service would not be resumed until the company reached a deal with its striking workers, the statement said.
The union and company both say they’re hopeful a deal can be reached.
“We’re trying to avoid any strike action at all. We don’t want to go on strike,” Mr. Shewchuk said. “After two and a half years [without a deal], we’ve got to do something to stimulate some interest here. We were looking for a three-year deal, and we’re just about three years into the negotiations.”
After the union set its strike deadline, negotiations did move forward Tuesday, only to stumble towards the end of the day, he said.
“We kind of stepped back, which was unfortunate,” Mr. Shewchuk said Tuesday night. “But we’re looking for an early morning refreshed look.”