MONTREAL - Via Rail Canada has laid off hundreds of employees because of a strike that has paralyzed passenger train service across the country.
Company spokesman Malcolm Andrews confirmed in an interview with The Canadian Press that the unionized employees received notice yesterday.
Via officials had previously announced that they would consider the layoffs if the strike lasted longer than five days. Andrews said Saturday that up to 2,400 employees may be let go if the strike continues.
The affected employees worked primarily in the service sectors: on trains, in stations and in maintenance centres.
Andrews says that the company is working with a mediator and remains optimistic that the shut-down would end soon.
Contract negotiations between Via and the union representing its 340 engineers broke down Thursday overnight.
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