VIA Rail has nearly avoided a strike that would have immediately halted all services across Canada this morning. 

The union that represents around 2,400 VIA Rail employees initially issued a strike notice for July 11 at 12:01 a.m., if a new deal was not reached. 

Unifor has since extended the deadline until 4:00 p.m. on Monday. 

In a press release, VIA Rail says some service for Monday, July 11 may be impacted if a deal is not reached. It says it is offering customers the opportunity to make changes to their travel plans without service fees for any departure prior to July 31st. 

Unifor says it remains hopeful that a deal can be reached. 

“Our bargaining committees have been steadfast in wanting to achieve a deal that respects and values their work,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National Secretary-Treasurer of Unifor, in a statement. 

Meanwhile, VIA Rail also says it is committed to reaching a fair and reasonable agreement. 

“In the past few months, there has been an increased appetite for travel,” said Martin R. Landry, President and Chief Executive Officer of VIA Rail, in a statement. “We recognize the additional stress this situation is placing on our passengers and the communities we serve from coast to coast to coast.”

For the latest updates on train status click here.