Together for real change
Workers of REM, vote to join Unifor and secure the best working conditions for you and your colleagues. (Last update: April 1st)
Vote for fairer and more transparent working conditions
After April 1st at midnight, Unifor can no longer contact you. This page remains accessible, but its content has not been updated since that date. For any questions before this deadline, contact our recruiter, Michel Bélanger, at 514-258-9792.
Here we are: just one day left before the vote!
All week, as we met with you, we felt a real desire for change. Now is the time to turn that momentum into action. You are invited to vote to join Unifor, the railway union. Follow the example of your colleagues from REM and Alstom, who have already made this choice. The vast majority of Alstom employees are unionized, and unionization is a right protected by law—there’s nothing to fear and everything to gain!
Here are the voting dates and locations:
📅 April 2, 2025: St-Eustache facility*, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
📅 April 3, 2025: Brossard facility, from 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM and from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM
📅 April 4, 2025: Brossard facility, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
🗳️ The ballot count will take place on April 4 at 8:00 PM.
We strongly encourage all employees who are currently absent from work, whether due to illness or other reasons, to come and vote. Your voice matters!
*If you normally work in Brossard but are sent to St-Eustache on voting day, or vice versa, you can vote at the facility where you are during the vote.
Choose solidarity.
Together, you have the power to ensure fairness, have your skills recognized, and build the working conditions you deserve. United, your voice becomes an undeniable force to negotiate and achieve real gains. Now is the time to seize this opportunity: alone, you go fast, but together, you go far! Do it for yourself, for your colleagues, and for a future where everyone gets the recognition they deserve.
Unionizing means putting an end to uncertainty.
A vote to join Unifor is a vote for clear and fair rules for all. Together, you put an end to arbitrary decisions and ensure transparent and equitable conditions. And one thing is certain: you will not lose any of the benefits you currently have. What you already have, you protect, and what you deserve, you build together.
Staying without a union means staying without a safety net.
Not voting or voting against joining Unifor means keeping things as they are, with all their uncertainties. It means standing alone in front of decisions, without guarantees of fairness among colleagues, growth opportunities, or recognition. Together, you can change things and build a fairer and more secure future.
With Unifor, you have the power to set your conditions and secure your future.
Down with the myths!
« The union can lower my working conditions. »
No! It is illegal for an employer to reduce your working conditions because of your unionization.
As soon as you vote to join Unifor, your working conditions will be protected and maintained as they are until the signing of your first collective agreement. At that point, you will have the opportunity to define your new working conditions.
« We will have the same working conditions as Exo. »
Incorrect! The working conditions negotiated by Exo were chosen and approved by the workers of Exo. Therefore, it is you who will have the power to choose your own working conditions, which will undoubtedly be more advantageous than those of others.
Indeed, maintenance workers at Exo can earn up to $40.45/hour before bonuses. Let’s not forget: no one at REM will earn less than what they currently receive, regardless of your salary.
Moreover, the majority of workers at Alstom are already unionized and enjoy better working conditions than yours.
« Union dues will reduce my salary. »
False! Union dues will not eat into your raise, quite the opposite. Even after accounting for the dues, the salary increases you will receive will be much higher than the amount of the dues. Workers who have unionized have seen their wages increase significantly thanks to collective bargaining. The long-term benefits far outweigh the cost of the dues.
« Unionization could lead to the loss of benefits. »
No! It is illegal for REM (Alstom) to remove benefits as retaliation for unionization. Unionization is designed to allow workers to collectively negotiate their wages and benefits.
« Conversations about salaries should remain private. »
Salary transparency is crucial to ensure that all workers are paid fairly for their work. It’s well known that even with equal jobs and experience, some people are paid more than others. What’s fair about that? Transparency helps to address these inequalities and ensures that everyone receives the compensation they deserve. By discussing salaries openly, workers can work together to correct these disparities and ensure fair treatment for all.
Why unionize ?
Because you deserve better. Unionizing means gaining respect, ensuring stability, and having a real impact on your workplace. Unionizing represents:
Better wages – and predictability
Unionized workers benefit from better wages than those who are not. Through the union, you get predictable annual raises, with no surprises or uncertain waiting for the employer’s goodwill. You know exactly what to expect, and your raises are collectively bargained, ensuring fairer and more stable compensation.
Fair conditions and wages for all
With equal skills and knowledge, some colleagues earn more than others, and often, we end up wondering if our salary is truly fair compared to others. This uncertainty creates inequalities and stress. With the union, you won’t have to ask yourself that question anymore. Together, you will define a fair salary—chosen by you, the workers—that reflects your efforts and work. The union guarantees you fair, transparent pay that truly reflects what you contribute every day!
Rest assured, unionization will never lower your salary!
Clear rules
Everyone knows exactly what is expected of them and what they can expect in return. Responsibilities are clearly defined, and tasks are fair.
The recognition of your rights
With the union, you are guaranteed that your rights are protected and defended, whether it’s regarding salary, workplace safety, or respecting your schedule. The union gives you a collective voice to ensure that your rights are always respected.
Next steps
What happens after the vote?
If the majority chooses to join Unifor, things will move quickly. In the weeks following April 4, a general assembly will be held to elect your bargaining committee and identify your priorities for working conditions. Based on your expectations and the best practices in the industry, we will work together to build a strong set of demands.
Unifor already represents thousands of railway workers, including those at VIA Rail, CN, and Alstom. This allows us to leverage the best existing conditions to secure the best possible outcome for you. This document will guide negotiations and could lead to concrete protections and improvements in your first collective agreement. Real change starts now!
How do union dues work?
At Unifor, union dues apply only to regular hours worked—never to overtime or bonuses. Plus, they are tax-deductible. Unlike some other unions, Unifor does not collect any dues until your first collective agreement is signed. And most importantly, the facts speak for themselves: the negotiated wage increases far exceed the cost of dues. No one loses—everyone wins!
The rail union in Canada.
Unifor has 315,000 members, making it the largest private sector union in Canada, with 52,000 in Quebec.
In the railway sector, we represent over 9,000 workers, or 3% of all our members. Nearly 75% work in freight transportation, such as at CP and CN, while others are at VIA Rail and Ontario Northland.
Unifor is well-acquainted with the railway industry and is committed to defending your interests to ensure the best working conditions.
Via Rail
Advantageous conditions negotiated by Unifor
In 2024, a person working in a profession similar to several of your positions at REM could earn $43.74/hour. The workers at Via Rail secured, during their last agreement, a 11.5% increase over three years. Additionally, they negotiated several other benefits, such as more generous bonuses and extra holidays.
CN
Competitive conditions negotiated by Unifor
At CN, a mechanic can earn up to $45.56/hour in 2024, not including the numerous bonuses. These workers successfully negotiated a 7.4% increase over two years. They also obtained various benefits, including shift bonuses and an enhancement of health and safety at work (SST).
Ensure financial stability: a guaranteed and predictable increase every year!
Join Unifor
It’s time to act and demand the respect, transparency, and fairness you deserve.
By unionizing with Unifor, you are making the decision to improve not only your working conditions but also those of all your colleagues at REM (Alstom). The power to make a change is in your hands.
With all the information circulating quickly, if you have any doubts or questions, don’t hesitate to call Michel (until April 1st at midnigt), who will be happy to answer all your inquiries.
Michel Bélanger – National Recruitment Representative
michel.belanger@unifor.org
514 258-9792
REM employees, take control of your future!
Make your voice heard!
For more information about our union, don't hesitate to contact us!
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