VIA and Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Negotiations at an Impasse

Montreal – VIA Rail Canada and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference resumed negotiations this past Monday, with the assistance of a federally appointed mediator. Talks continued until 1 am EDT this morning, July 24. Despite intense negotiations over the past four days, the parties were unfortunately unable to reach an agreement, and the negotiations are currently at an impasse.

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, VIA will have no choice but to cease operations of Canada’s national passenger rail service as of Friday, 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.

Affected passengers may obtain a refund of any unused tickets.

To obtain updates, customers may visit viarail.ca or contact VIA at 1 888 VIA-RAIL (1 888 842-7245) or 1 800 268-9503 (hearing impaired).

VIA sincerely regrets any inconvenience that this situation may cause its customers.

About VIA Rail Canada

As Canada’s national passenger rail service, VIA Rail Canada provides efficient, environmentally sustainable and cost-effective transportation services to more than 450 communities, with a network of inter-city, transcontinental and regional remote trains operating across the country.