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No tentative agreement reached with VIA Rail
Dear members,
Council 4000 and Local 100 wrapped up negotiations with VIA Rail this week in Montreal, but despite the bargaining committees working late into the evenings, no tentative agreement was reached.
The overwhelming strike vote—97.5% at Council 4000 and 96.2% at Local 100—pushed the employer to finally discuss monetary issues and brought CEO Mario Péloquin to the table, but the movement wasn’t enough.
VIA’s proposals continue to fall short on wages, working conditions and job security.
One of the key obstacles is VIA Rail’s refusal to seriously address the ongoing crisis on the On-Board Services spare boards. The union has been clear: members are facing chronic short hours and reduced pay because of how these boards are being managed.
VIA continues to ignore the demand to reduce the number of employees on a spare board when hours fall below the guaranteed minimum under Articles 7.15 and 7.16 of Agreement 2. The union is calling for a clear remedy to ensure members receive the hours they’re entitled to—and the income they need to make ends meet.
Unifor Local 100 is also facing concessionary demands at the bargaining table, as VIA Rail pushes for changes to the collective agreement. Proposals on shift scheduling, cross-crafting and monetary allowances must be withdrawn by the company.
Both parties return to the table on June 17, 2025, and bargaining will continue right up to the deadline. Under federal labour law, the union will be in a legal strike position as of 00:01 a.m. EST on June 22, 2025.
The bargaining committees remain committed to reaching a fair deal. VIA Rail has one last chance to avoid a dispute. Whether they take it or not is up to them.
We will continue to update members as more information becomes available. If you have any questions about negotiations or the strike deadline, please speak to your bargaining committee or strike coordinators.
In solidarity,
Council 4000 and Local 100 VIA Rail Master Bargaining Committees
