(The Associated Press circulated the following story on January 14.)
MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway Co. on Friday said it tentatively agreed to a labor contract with the United Steelworkers of America for about 2,250 employees who maintain its infrastructure in Canada.
Details of the agreement, which applies to the period from Jan. 1, 2004 through the end of 2007, were withheld pending ratification. The company said the agreement, in general, will increase wages and improve benefits.
Canadian National renewed agreements with brakemen and conductors at the company’s Northern Quebec Territory who are represented by the United Transportation Union, as well as the Canadian Auto Workers, the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference/Rail Traffic Controllers, and the Canadian National Railways Police Association.
The railway said it is still in talks with the national United Transportation Union body outside Northern Quebec, the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference representing locomotive engineers, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, whose members maintain signals and communications equipment.
Canadian National shares rose 28 cents to $56.51 in afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange.