Just a few hours before the start of a strike at VIA Rail, negotiations between the union and the company are still underway to avoid the forced shutdown of services on Monday.
• Read also: VIA Rail: possible strike as of July 11
The union, which represents 2,400 employees, filed a 72-hour strike notice last Thursday.
Negotiations between the company and the union are still ongoing.
President and CEO Martin R. Landry said in a statement that VIA Rail has made every effort to reach an agreement.
He adds that discussions with the union have continued and that VIA Rail remains committed to negotiating an agreement.
According to the union, the persistent problem is that the employer wishes to withdraw a clause which amounts to job security, which the union refuses to accept.
“VIA Rail is trying to clean up the cost structure, but on the backs of the workers, so it’s something our members don’t want to make as a concession,” said Olivier Carrière, assistant to the Quebec director at Unifor, who represents the employees.
If no agreement is reached, services will be suspended for the duration of the strike.
Several customers that TVA Nouvelles has met are worried regarding seeing their plans for the next few days change.
“They make us feel insecure, in the sense that we have moved up our departure, for fear of not being able to leave for Toronto tomorrow,” says a client.
Some said that in the event of a strike, they would turn to passenger buses or rent a car.