Via rail workers are back on the job after a two-day strike shut down rail service across the country Friday (July 24).

The Canadian Teamsters Rail conference Union and Via Rail have agreed to arbitration, allowing rail service to continue in Jasper, which ended the strike on July 26. The dispute centres around scheduling and training. The union has been without a contract since December 2006, and 343 engineers and yardworkers took part in the strike. Another 2,500 workers were temporarily laid off during the strike.

Picket lines were set up during the dispute in Jasper.

A handful of rail travellers showed up at the 10 a.m. friday strike deadline to make alternative plans. Via rail cancelled its Jasper to Prince Rupurt earlier in the week, and passengers were offered alternative transportation via bus. Despite the delays, most passengers were understanding.

Verna Rogers of Lake Country, California and her husband were looking forward to taking the train across Alberta and British Columbia. They lost their spot on the Rocky Mountaineer when their travel agent filed for bankruptcy, and the couple switched to Via. However they couldn’t anticipate the strike.

“It’s frustrating. We paid $8,000 a couple that we’re still trying to get back from Rocky Mountaineer. My husband is a train buff and the whole premise was to ride the train.”

The couple were attempting to reconfigure their vacation after the strike, but said they were still enjoying their time in Canada.

“But it’s still been a good trip.”

Rebecca Ward, 21, of Bristol, England was disappointed she had to switch from train to bus service for her trip to Vancouver.

“Our trip to Vancouver was cancelled and they’re putting us on the bus service, but we don’t want to do an overnight on the bus service,” Ward said. “I’m annoyed, but it’s still been a good trip.”

MP Rob Merrifield released a statement  expressing his satisfaction with the deal, but criticized the union for calling a strike during a recession. While salary was not the key issue in negotiations, Merrifield still weighed in on the issue.

“It’s really unfortunate these engineers that are highly paid are using Canadians as pawns in this dispute over salary,” Merrifield said. “It’s the worst downturn in years. For the union that’s paid six digit numbers to pull this card at this part of the game – it’s appalling in my mind.”

Before the settlement, Merrifield said the strike would certainly affect tourism, but he didn’t anticipate the government issuing back to work legislation.

“Calling legislation back in the middle of summer is a bit of a stretch,” Merrifield said.

Calls to the Canadian Teamsters Rail Conference union were not returned by deadline.

This was Via Rail’s first strike since 1995.