The summer travel season is now taking place, but VIA Rail employees have endorsed potential job action.
Workers represented by Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100 voted in favour of strike action should negotiations fail to bring a new agreement. About 97.5 per cent of those who voted said yes.
Unifor represents 2,500 VIA Rail workers, including on-board service staff, maintenance crews, customer service agents, skilled trades, and administrative employees.
"This strike vote is not just a number, it's a direct response to VIA Rail's refusal to bargain fairly," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "Our members have shown they are united, determined, and ready to take action to protect good jobs and public rail service."
The bargaining committee said VIA Rail has been adamant about concessions and has also claimed that VIA Rail has not responded to any of the union's financial proposals.
Talks resumed on Monday as part of the ongoing conciliation process. The period ends on Saturday, the conclusion of a 21-day "cooling-off" period. Unifor is in a legal strike position on Sunday, June 22.