Rail

MONTREAL— Contract talks between Unifor and VIA Rail have broken off, setting the stage for a national rail dispute that threatens to disrupt passenger travel across the country later this month.

“We didn’t come to the table looking for a dispute—we came to get a deal,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne. “But VIA Rail’s refusal to take our demands seriously has left us with no other choice. If they’re not willing to fix what’s broken, they’re forcing this dispute onto workers and passengers alike.”

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.

MONTREAL— VIA Rail workers represented by Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100 have delivered a strong strike mandate, with 97.5% voting in favour of strike action. The result reflects widespread frustration with the employer’s conduct at the bargaining table and sends a clear message that members will not accept concessions.

Unifor members deliver strong strike mandate at VIA Rail

Dear Members,

Council 4000 and Local 100 have concluded strike votes across the VIA Rail system, delivering a strong and united mandate to their bargaining committees as negotiations continue under the conciliation process.

Council 4000 members voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action with 97.5% support, while Local 100 members also delivered a strong strike mandate with 96% support.

Unifor is fighting back against the tariff war initiated by the United States. Together, we have urged the government to invest in Canada’s rail networks and infrastructure and to enhance regulations in order to safely and efficiently carry goods across the nation into Canadian ports and transportation hubs, and into new markets, to support and build our economy while protecting Canada’s supply chain and jobs. 

MONTREAL— Unifor’s VIA Rail master bargaining committees are preparing to conduct strike votes after a disappointing week of negotiations failed to move the employer off major concessions that threaten job security and working conditions.

VIA Rail refuses to move on concessions; strike votes begin

Dear Members,

Council 4000 and Local 100 master bargaining committees met with VIA Rail from May 6 to 9 under the conciliation process. What unfolded at the table this week was a complete failure by the employer to bargain seriously or respectfully.

VIA Rail continues to bargain in bad faith.

Unifor welcomes the Hudson Bay Company’s (HBC) decision to restore commission to workers following a grievance filed by the union claiming that the move violated legally binding collective agreements. Unifor also doubles down on its call for HBC to pay its legal severance obligations to workers.

“The message that HBC is sending to workers is that if they could get away with paying them less, they would,” says Unifor National President Lana Payne. “HBC is not above the law, and we will not let them get away with shortchanging workers.”

VIA Rail bargaining continues; next dates set for May

Update from the bargaining table:

Council 4000 and Local 100 master bargaining committees met with VIA Rail this week, from April 14 to 17, as part of the ongoing conciliation process.

Unifor files for conciliation in VIA Rail negotiations

Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100 filed for conciliation on March 25, 2025, and the Labour Minister now has up to 15-days to appoint a federal conciliator to assist the parties with contract negotiations. This step comes after several rounds of bargaining where key proposals from the Union remain unresolved.”