VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) on July 17 reported the ratification of new three-year collective agreements with Unifor’s Council 4000 and Local 100. Deal negotiations officially opened last October.
According to the union, Council 4000 represents 1,800 VIA Rail employees who work in station services, headquarters, maintenance centers and onboard trains; Local 100 represents 700 VIA Rail employees working as diesel engine mechanics, electricians, railcar technicians and general workers.
The agreements, VIA Rail said, cover the period from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2027.
According to Canada’s national intercity passenger train operator, key highlights include:
- “A 3% annual wage increase for each of the next three years (2025, 2026, and 2027).
- “Enhanced working conditions and improved benefits across all agreements.”
Unifor on July 17 noted the inclusion of “pension improvements with a 100% employer match, better benefits coverage, and frontloaded sick days with a payout option for unused days.” Other highlights, it said, “include stronger job protection language, improved stability for spare board employees, commitments related to privatization, and plans to improve crew calling procedures.”
“These agreements represent a significant step forward for VIA Rail and our teams,” said Mathieu Paquette, Chief Communications and Human Resources Officer at VIA Rail, which runs intercity trains connecting more than 400 communities across Canada and transported 4 million-plus riders in 2024. “They reaffirm our shared commitment to building a workplace where employees feel valued and supported, while positioning us to continue delivering the safe, reliable, and accessible service our passengers count on every day. We are grateful to our Unifor partners for their collaboration throughout this process, and to our negotiating teams for their dedication and professionalism. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a stronger future that benefits our employees, our passengers, and the communities we serve from coast to coast.”
“The solidarity shown by VIA Rail members throughout this round of bargaining was essential,” Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier said. “Their strong strike mandates and collective determination made this agreement possible. We thank every member who participated in the vote and reaffirm our commitment to fighting for better workplaces and good jobs for all Unifor members.”
Unifor is said to be Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy.
Join VIA Rail President and CEO Mario Péloquin at Railway Age’s Next-Gen Rail Systems conference (formerly Next-Gen Train Control) on Oct. 30-31 in Jersey City, N.J. He will be a featured speaker at the 30th annual conference, which has been expanded to encompass the entire system, examining how signaling and train control technologies are modified and improved by telematics, artificial intelligence, deep data analysis, cybersecurity measures, and more.
