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Yesterday, the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) issued a 72-hour strike notice to VIA Rail Canada Inc. after the railroad tabled the union’s first economic proposal Wednesday. The strike deadline is 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

The union represents more than 2,000 VIA Rail workers who perform on-train and clerical services, including maintenance and ticketing. A contract between the CAW and VIA Rail expired at 2009's end.

The union will continue to try to reach an agreement without a work stopage, said Bob Chernecki, assistant to the CAW national president, in a prepared statement.