Latest news with #collectiveagreements
CTV News
5 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Via Rail, union ratify new three-year collective agreement
A Via Rail train is seen on tracks in Dorval, Que., as it heads out of Montreal on Friday, May 23, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi MONTREAL — Via Rail says new collective agreements have been ratified with about 2,500 unionized workers. The agreements with Unifor's council 4000 and Local 100 cover the period from the start of this year through to the end of 2027. They include a three per cent annual wage increase for each of the next three years, as well as improved working conditions and benefits. Workers at the Crown corporation had voted for a strike mandate, but a walkout was averted in June when the company and union reached a tentative agreement. The union represents workers at stations, maintenance centres, the customer care centre, in administrative offices and aboard trains. Unifor national president Lana Payne says the agreement delivers meaningful gains for members and protects the critical work they do. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2025 The Canadian Press
CTV News
16-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Unions challenge education hiring freezes before Quebec labour tribunal
Quebec imposed a hiring freeze in the public education sector as of Nov. 1 due to its tight financial situation. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press) On Monday, the Administrative Labour Tribunal is hearing arguments about Quebec's hiring freeze for staff who do not provide direct services to students. Quebec imposed the hiring freeze in the public sector on Nov. 1 due to its tight financial situation. The Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) and four of its federations believe that the hiring freeze for staff who do not provide direct services to students constitutes an obstacle to union activities, in that it prevents the implementation of clauses in collective agreements that were just negotiated. Certain clauses in the collective agreements offer greater job stability and improved employment prospects for employees with precarious work status. For example, they could have access to a regular contract after a certain period of time. However, the merits of the case have yet to be heard. The Attorney General filed a preliminary motion with the court, arguing that too much time has elapsed between the time the CSQ became aware of the Treasury Board's intention to impose a hiring freeze and its complaint of obstruction. Such a complaint must be filed within 30 days, under the Labour Code. During the hearings last March, the parties heard witnesses on the time limit, touching on the specific comments made, when they were made, by whom, to whom, and which job titles were to be affected, among other details. Administrative Judge Michel Maranda will hear the lawyers' arguments on this matter on Monday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 16, 2025.
