(The Canadian Press circulated the following article on February 28.)
MONTREAL — Canadian National Railway said Monday that 2,250 of its maintenance workers represented by the United Steelworkers of America have ratified a new four-year labour contract with the company.
The Steelworkers members maintain and repair CN’s track, bridges and structures in Canada.
The new contract, covering the period from Jan. 1, 2004, to Dec. 31, 2007, provides for increased wages and improved benefits.
CN has two more collective agreements to sign to wrap up the current round of negotiations, with locomotive engineers and signals workers.
On Sunday, CN’s 730 signal and communications workers, members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, voted 90 per cent in favour of a strike, which could start as early as this week.
However, the Canada Industrial Relations Board is continuing its review of CN services that should be maintained in the event of strikes or lockouts involving those unions. Until the board renders its decision, any right to strike or lock out is suspended.