(Canwest News Service circulated the following story by Teresa Smith on July 22, 2009.)
OTTAWA — Negotiations were still ongoing Wednesday between Via Rail and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference union to avert a possible strike that could sidetrack train travellers across the country.
Via Rail had pre-emptively cut or cancelled much of its long-distance service Tuesday after the union representing 340 locomotive engineers, who control the trains, issued a 72-hour strike notice, set to begin Friday at noon.
Via Rail spokesman Malcolm Andrews said since Monday, the two sides had been discussing wages, benefits, working conditions and terms of workers’ contracts, and would continue talks until a resolution is reached or until Friday’s noon deadline.
Members of the TCRC voted 91.2 per cent in favour of strike action, a statement said.
“Our members would prefer to resolve this through collective bargaining but we are increasingly frustrated by VIA Rail’s tactics,” union president Dan Shewchuk said.
Late Tuesday evening, Via Rail said the strike notice issued earlier that day had left the organization “no choice” but to begin cancelling certain long-distance treks so that the 12,000 passengers the Crown corporation serves daily would not be stranded if a strike began Friday.
Andrews said Via has been in touch with many bus companies and airlines to ensure that all passengers departing before noon on Friday will reach their destination, either “by train or by alternate means.”
However, Canadians remained concerned Wednesday, worried about interruptions during the busy vacation season.
Kelsey Short and a friend made a 44-hour train trek this week from Winnipeg to Churchill, Man., to see the largest known gathering of Beluga whales.
“We thought it would be a great adventure . . . And, epic train ride included, we are loving it so far,” said Short.
However, only hours after arriving in the northern town, located on the coast of Hudson Bay, the pair heard about the possible strike, and said no alternative plans have been made for their return as of yet.
“I guess we may be in Churchill longer than planned.”
Rick Pereira’s family purchased tickets for a five-day trip to Niagara Falls, Ont., from Toronto two weeks ago. Neither Pereira or his wife drive.
“This was to be the first time that we left the city on vacation since our honeymoon 18 years ago and three kids later,” he said in an e-mail.
“Usually we spend our vacations within Toronto, as there is lots to do here to keep us busy. With the garbage strike however, many things are closed down so we were looking forward to the trip away for a change.
“We are keeping our fingers crossed and staying positive . . . Maybe in another 18 years we can try again.”
In an e-mail to union members, Shewchuk wrote that workers may begin to reduce operations as early as Wednesday. The union said workers will continue to operate trains on Friday because there is no intent to strand passengers.
Via Rail shortened routes for several trains which departed Tuesday. Trains leaving Toronto for Vancouver and vice versa will depart at their scheduled times, but the routes will be terminated in Winnipeg.
A full list of cancellations is available on the VIA Rail website.
Andrews also said there could be more than 2,000 Via Rail employees — who are represented by the Canadian Auto Workers union — laid off if a strike were to begin on Friday. The other employees who “normally work in stations selling tickets, work on trains serving you your meal, heft your baggage around and put it on the train (and) fix the trains” could be affected, he said.
“There’d be a lot of people laid off, eventually.”
If Monday’s noon deadline passes without agreement, all service will be cancelled and passengers will be offered a full refund, Via has said.
Click here to view a full list of the affected trains.