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Update on CAW - VIA Rail negotiations
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The second stage of contract talks between the CAW and VIA Rail Canada continued from November 18 to 20 in Montreal on CAW
Collective Agreements 1, 2 and 3, which all expire at 23:59 December 31, 2009.
Local 100 President John Burns reports that the parties dealt specifically with Work Rules demands and to date the parties have not
discussed monetary demands, although Via Rail did present the Union with an overview of its economic situation which reflected
lower ridership and reduced income. They have made headway in addressing some Work Rule changes; however, any changes are
contingent on acceptance of an overall Agreement. The Bargaining Team is committed to try and achieve an acceptable collective
Agreement for its members as quickly as possible;
Heather Grant, Secretary-Treasurer for Council 4000, says that bargaining on work rules for Agreements 1 and 2 has not been as
productive as the Council 4000 Bargaining Committee would have liked it. “We are having difficulties in gaining any momentum to
push towards achieving a settlement before years end, or early into the New Year,” explained Grant.
The parties have scheduled the full week of December 14 to 18 in Montreal to continue negotiations. We ask for the continued
support and solidarity of our membership as we work in achieving a fair and equitable settlement on the behalf of our 2,000-plus
members at VIA. To date the CAW has not applied for conciliation. We will be reviewing the status of bargaining at the end of the
bargaining session in December. We will continue to keep our members updated throughout this process.
Related:
October 21, 2009 - CAW opens negotiations with VIA Rail in Ottawa
October 8, 2009 - CAW and VIA Rail set to open talks on a new contract
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