Canada – Via Rail – CAW Questions Lay-offs and Cutbacks

CAW opened negotiations with VIA Rail this afternoon in Montreal, raising concerns about recent lay-offs and route cuts.

“VIA Rail has suffered a number of very serious funding cuts from the federal government over the last few years, a situation that’s getting worse, not better,” said CAW President Ken Lewenza. He said that VIA Rail has failed to explain to its workers and to the public that route cuts and layoffs are the direct result of government funding cuts, which will undoubtedly harm the long-term viability of Canadian passenger rail services.

Lewenza called it embarrassing for Canada that the country has fallen decades behind in terms of rail infrastructure and technology. “How is it that countries like China, Brazil, and South Africa can build modern high-speed rail systems, but Canada cannot?” said Lewenza.

He said that the investment and jobs associated with building a high-speed rail system could do for this decade what the St. Lawrence Seaway did for the country in the 1950s – and become a source of economic growth for the nation…

Choosen excerpts by JMM from

via CAW Questions Lay-offs and Cutbacks in Opening Negotiations with VIA Rail | Canadian Auto Workers | CAW.