(Reuters circulated the following on July 21, 2010.)
OTTAWA — The Canadian Auto Workers union said Wednesday that its members voted 88 percent in favor of a new, three-year contract with Via Rail.
The two sides reached a tentative agreement late last month after negotiations narrowly averted a strike at the national passenger rail service, which carries about 11,000 people daily.
The CAW, which represents 2,200 Via Rail workers in customer service, on-board service and maintenance, said the new contract agreement includes wage increases in each year, benefit plan improvements, a new apprenticeship program and establishes healthcare spending accounts for retirees.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.