The CAW is warning the crown corporation to settle a collective agreement before the end of the week, or all 2,400 employees will hit the picket lines.
Union president Ken Lewenza says he and VIA’s CEO have told bargaining committees on both sides of the table to speed up negotiations.
“There’s been a lot or procrastination at the table,” says Lewenza.
While a strike deadline was set for June 14, union members can walk off the job as early as Thursday.
A conciliator joined the talks 50 days ago. Negotiations started in the fall.
Lewenza says the rail company’s ongoing restructuring plans remain a concern, especially service reductions along the Windsor-London-Toronto route.
Via employs 30 workers in Windsor, but a strike could affect passengers and business commuters who use the rails to get to Toronto as an alternative to driving and flying.
