A potential strike has been averted after VIA Rail Canada reached tentative agreements with Unifor’s Council 4000 and Local 100, representing approximately 2,400 employees across the company’s operations.

The unionized staff includes those working in stations, onboard trains, at maintenance centres, in the VIA Customer Centre and administrative offices.

The tentative agreements are now subject to ratification by Via Rail’s Unifor members. If approved, the collective agreements will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025, and will remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2027. Full details of the agreements will be disclosed following the ratification process.

A breakdown in contract negotiations between Via Rail and Unifor was first reported earlier this month. According to Unifor, one of the most serious issues is VIA Rail’s refusal to fix the crisis on the On-Board Services spare boards. With workers facing chronic short hours and reduced pay due to VIA Rail’s “mismanagement of the board system,” many are unable to earn a living wage.