The union representing Canadian National Railway mechanics, electricians and apprentices in Canada says workers have ratified a new collective agreement that will provide improvements to extended health-care and dental benefits.
Unifor says the deal for 2,100 employees with Local 100 represents a breakthrough in improvements to benefits at the country’s largest railway.
It says improvements were also made to short-term disability, with three paid sick days, plus new premiums for the northern living allowance and an 11 per cent wage increase over four years.
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Wages will increase by 2.5 per cent annually in the first two years and three per cent per year in the last two years ending in 2022.
Negotiations began Oct. 5 with Unifor saying that wages, benefits and the contracting out of repair and overhaul work were key issues.
Bargaining continues for 3,300 other CN Rail workers at CNTL, Intermodal and CN Savage Alberta Railway represented by Unifor National Council 4000 and CN Transportation Ltd.
Read: Agreement for Toronto Marriott staff includes expanded benefits for dependants of part timers