(The Canadian Press circulated the following story on March 15.)
MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway has reached a tentative agreement with the Canadian Auto Workers union that could end a 31?2-week-old strike by 5,000 employees.
The three-year deal provides for a return-to-work bonus of $1,000 and annual salary increases of three per cent, the union said Monday. The Canadian Auto Workers also said the company has agreed to return to the disciplinary system that was in place before Jan. 1, 2001. The union had complained the current system was heavy-handed.
Improved shift differentials were also obtained in the negotiations, the union said.
Voting is expected to be held this week.
CAW shopcraft, intermodal and clerical wokers have been on strike since Feb. 20. Their previous contract expired last Dec. 31.
CN and the union also said Monday they also reached a tentative agreement covering owner-operator truck drivers represented by the CAW. Those drivers are not on strike.
The railway (TSX:CNR) has continued to operate during the strike.