Trains across the country started getting back on track yesterday, with full service on most routes — including Halifax– expected to resume today.
VIA Rail service came to a halt at 1 p.m. last Friday when locomotive engineers and yardmasters started walking the picket lines. After two days of striking, VIA and the union representing about 340 workers across the country announced that they’ve both agreed to binding arbitration.
“Teamsters Canada Rail Conference and the Via Rail Canada agreed very late (Saturday) night to appeal to a federal arbitrator who will impose a new collective agreement to both parties,” a statement on the union’s national website said.
Although no trains were leaving or arriving in Halifax yesterday, the overnight Ocean train was scheduled to leave Montreal for Halifax at 7:30 p.m. last night and should arrive here just before 4:30 p.m. today. The Ocean is scheduled to leave Halifax at 12:35 p.m. today, according to the VIA Rail website, but customers should check www.viarail.ca or call 1-888-842-7245 for updated information.
The Teamsters Canada website said outstanding contract issues could be addressed as early as mid-August.
