VIA and Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Negotiations at an Impasse

Dear colleagues,

I regret to inform you that despite intense negotiations over the past four days with the assistance of a federally appointed mediator, VIA and Teamsters Canada Rail Conference were unable to reach an agreement, and the negotiations are currently at an impasse.

As you know, the union, which represents some 340 locomotive engineers, earlier issued a strike notice indicating its intent to go on strike as of noon EDT today, Friday, July 24.

Barring a last-minute resolution, we will have no choice but to cease operations of our services as of today, July 24, 2009 at noon EDT. 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.

Should you receive media inquiries, please redirect them to VIA’s Corporate Communications department at 877-393-8787 or media@viarail.ca.

We will continue to keep you posted as the situation evolves.

Paul Côté
President and Chief Executive Officer