Media Advisory - VIA workers hold national protest to keep jobs in Canada

MONTREAL, Dec. 12, 2018 /CNW/ - Today Unifor members who work for VIA Rail Canada will send a strong message to their employer and the federal government at train stations across Canada.

"This crown corporation should be creating good Canadian jobs and building a national rail service that we can all be proud of, not contracting out work to foreign multinational corporations," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President.

The workers will be handing out leaflets in protest of VIA's recent announcement that it's cutting jobs and contracting out work to foreign companies. Taxpayers are being urged to contact their MP's and Transport Minister Marc Garneau to demand VIA work stays in Canada.

Where: VIA Stations in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, and Moncton.                                           

When: Wednesday, December 12, 2018 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. local time with the exception of Moncton which will take place 4:30-5:30 Atlantic Time.

Who: VIA workers and local union leaders

VIA Rail Canada is a Federal Crown Corporation that receives most of its funding from Canadian Taxpayers. VIA recently announced it is cutting hundreds of Canadian jobs and will contract that work out to an American company called Aramark. Additionally, Siemens, a German company, appears to be the top pick for the upcoming fleet renewal project, even though it has no vested interest in Canada.  Aramark and its subsidiaries earned worldwide sales in excess of $19 million in 2017 while Siemens and its subsidiaries earned nearly $30 billion in 2017.

Unifor is also calling for a national transportation strategy with supporting legislation for VIA to promote a safe, affordable, accessible and environmentally friendly transportation system from the Maritimes to the Corridor, including South Western Ontario,  and the Western Prairies, all the way to British Columbia.

Locations and Local Media Contacts:

Vancouver -  Paul Topham (604) 799-3102
Pacific Central Station                                                
1150 Station ST.
Vancouver, BC

Winnipeg - Laura Hazlitt (431) 335-4176
VIA Rail Station                                                            
123 Main St 
Winnipeg, MB

Toronto - Andrew Stephen (647) 669-8723
Union Station
65 Front St
Toronto, ON

Ottawa - Rony Kiwan (613) 862-4738
VIA Rail Station                                                             
200 Tremblay RD
Ottawa, ON

Montreal - Mario Laroche (514)-891-7982
VIA Rail Station (CN building)                                
895 de la Gauchetiere Ouest
Montreal, QC

Quebec City - Nathalie Dion (418) 455-4686
Via Rail Station
Gare du Palais
450 rue de la Gare du Palais
Quebec City, QC

Moncton  - Jennifer Murray (506) 380-4032
4:30 to 5:30
VIA Rail Station 
1240 Main ST
Moncton, NB

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor