VIA Rail and CAW reach tentative settlement, avoid strike

VIA Rail Canada Inc. and the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union last night reached a tentative contract agreement, averting a strike that would have gone into effect today.

The agreement followed days of round-the-clock negotiations. CAW represents 2,000 customer service, onboard service and maintenance workers at VIA Rail.

Details of the tentative settlement will be released to union members in the coming days, CAW officials said in a press release.

"We've spent days engaged in very tense bargaining on issues most important to members and we're happy to have settled this contract without a labor disruption," said Bob Orr, assistant to the CAW national president.