(The CAW issued the following news release on March 10.)
MONTREAL — The Canadian Auto Workers’ Union responded positively today to Canadian National Railway’s announcement that it will enhance its offer to 5,000 workers, on strike since Feb. 20.
CN offered the Union — through a press release — three suggested options: 1. an end to the strike without a settlement; 2. a contract imposed by a third party; or 3. a membership ratification vote on a “final, enhanced offer”.
“We reject options one and two,” announced Gary Fane, CAW Director of Transportation and chief negotiator. “As for option three, we haven’t yet seen CN’s new enhanced offer. Once we do, our bargaining committee will decide the next step.”
CN broke off negotiations abruptly on Sunday after two days of talks that brought the parties closer to a new settlement. CN announced that it was withdrawing all enhanced offers and returning to its position of January 23 — even though that offer had already been voted down by union members.
Mr. Fane expressed satisfaction that the railway had apparently reversed its decision of last Sunday to stop bargaining and withdraw all offers.
The 5,000 CAW employees include office employees, intermodal yard workers, customer service representatives, and shopcraft workers who maintain locomotives and rail cars and perform safety inspections on trains.