The Unifor union intends to oppose the public-private partnership announced by the federal government concerning the Quebec City-Windsor corridor of VIA Rail.
Ottawa on Wednesday issued a call for tenders to the private sector to cover VIA Rail’s high-frequency corridor service.
To counter the Corridor’s P3 project, the union has launched a national campaign “Get Canada Back on Track: Invest in Passenger Rail” to advocate for a favorable legislative framework for public rail services.
“Privatization of transportation means higher costs, broken promises, lower quality service and closed routes,” said Scott Doherty, Unifor’s chief rail negotiator.
“P3s benefit companies where workers are lower paid and experience job insecurity, and often pose health and safety risks,” he said.
The Quebec City-Windsor corridor represents more than 90% of VIA Rail’s customers and nearly 75% of its revenues, according to the union, which estimates that the privatization of this corridor risks impacting the entire VIA Rail system.
“Canadians want investments in passenger rail that are publicly owned and operated, not a plan that pours public funds into private profits,” said Unifor Rail Council President Jenn Murray. .
Reference-www.journaldemontreal.com