Media Advisory - Nation-Wide Call to Stop the Cuts at VIA Rail

TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2012 /CNW/ - CAW members at VIA Rail are taking part in a nation-wide leaflet campaign this week, urging an end to the cuts at VIA. Passengers are also being urged to join the campaign.

The union is objecting to the federal government's "modernization plan" for VIA Rail which will see western trans-continental services cut in half. Accordingly to the plan, the eastern VIA train servicing Halifax, Montreal and other locations are also being cut in half. A number of stations will close or be left unattended across south western Ontario as well.

"Modernization shouldn't translate into a decrease in passenger rail services," said CAW President Ken Lewenza. "The federal government and VIA Rail should be working to improve and expand on services, not diminish and destroy them, one cut at a time.

"Passenger rail services in Canada are far behind many other industrialized countries and as a nation, we should be looking to truly modernize our rail, and by extension, our transportation system, as a useful community and economic development strategy," said Lewenza.

VIA workers and passengers are being encouraged to contact federal Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Denis Lebel and VIA Rail CEO Marc Laliberté to ask them to reverse the cuts, and instead expand Canada's passenger rail system.

This initiative is a part of the Transport Workers International Action Week October 7-13. The CAW represents approximately 2,200 workers at VIA Rail.

A number of local contacts are also available across the country.

To read the leaflet in English or French, please visit: http://www.caw.ca/en/11599.htm

SOURCE: Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW)

For more information, please contact CAW Assistant to the President Bob Orr (cell) 416-471-2664 or CAW Communications Shannon Devine (cell) 416-302-1699.