Below is an updated story on the Via Rail situation found in today's online Toronto Star.
Majority of trains cancelled
Jul 24, 2009 08:08 AM
Precious Yutangco
staff reporter
Via Rail Canada has begun cancelling trains this morning ahead of a noon strike deadline set by locomotive engineers after talks between union representatives and the company broke down.
Early this morning, the company said unless a last-minute resolution is reached, it will be cancelling all trips at noon.
However, according to their website, trips on the Jasper-Prince Rupert, Montreal-Toronto, Ottawa-Toronto, Montreal-Quebec, Toronto-London, Toronto-Sarnia, Toronto-Niagara Falls, Montreal-Ottawa, Montreal-Jonquiere, Montreal-Senneterre, Montreal-Gaspé and Montreal-Halifax lines have already been halted.
Some routes are offering alternate transportation although most only offer refunds.
According to Amtrak, connections to Buffalo or Niagara Falls, New York, will also be affected.
Although some trains were still running this morning, the majority have been cancelled.
Riders are encouraged to check their exact trip to find out more details.
Via had already cancelled some departures this week in anticipation of a walkout.
According to Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, the union representing Via locomotive engineers and yardmasters, their members have been out of a contract since Dec. 31, 2006.
Following a 21-day "cooling-off" period, its members voted 91.2 per cent in favour of a strike.
Some of the outstanding issues include job security.
In a written statement released last week, the union claimed that Via has been demanding the implementation of an antiquated crew utilization procedure, which they say, creates uncertainty about when a locomotive engineer would be scheduled to work.
Wage and benefits are also a major request.
Intense negotiations have been underway for the past four days with the assistance of a federally appointed mediator.
Talks continued overnight but ended around 1 a.m., when Via Rail said that both parties had reached deadlock.
The union, which represents some 340 locomotive engineers, earlier issued a strike notice indicating its intent to go on strike as of noon today.
Trains on the Sudbury-White River and Victoria-Courtenay routes will remain in service, as they are operated by third parties on Via's behalf.
Affected passengers may obtain a refund of any unused tickets.
For more information, call Via at 1-888-VIA-RAIL (842-7245).
Some 12,000 passengers travel routes across Canada daily.
