(The Canadian Press distributed the following article on March 19.)
MONTREAL — Striking CN Rail workers have approved a new contract that will see them back at work starting Saturday, the Canadian Auto Workers (news – web sites) Union announced early Friday.
The vote ends a four-week strike by 5,000 workers that affected railway operations from Vancouver to Halifax. The clerical, customer service and trainyard employees – almost one-third of CN’s Canadian workforce – had rejected an earlier contract agreement reached in January.
The workers began their strike Feb. 20 to demand a better contract offer and an end to new discipline procedures. Their previous contract expired Dec. 31.
Managers filled in, but there have been delays, especially for trains going through intermodal yards where containers are transferred between trucks and railcars.
The strike also disrupted some car assembly plants for a few days due to solidarity action by CAW assembly workers.
The contract provides for a three-per-cent wage increase in each of three years, a $1,000 signing bonus and a return to discipline procedures in place before 2001.
The workers earn an average of $45,000 a year.