CAW members ratify agreements with CN; sign tentative contract with CP

Members of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union have ratified three separate three-year collective agreements with CN. The new agreements are effective Jan. 1, 2001 and provide for wage increases, wage adjustments for certain classifications, some benefit improvements and increased productivity.

The CAW, with 5,000 active members at CN, represents the railroad’s shopcraft forces, customer service representatives, intermodal yard employees, clerical workers and owner-operator truckers.

In the current round of national labour negotiations in Canada, CN has renewed agreements with the CAW, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Canadian National Railways Police Association. CN is actively bargaining with the Canadian Council of Railway Operating Unions and the Rail Canada Traffic Controllers.

The CAW has also signed a tentative three-year contract settlement with Canadian Pacific Railway. The agreement provides for wage, benefit and pension improvements for the 2,900 shopcraft employees.

It also contains provisions for improved productivity through various work rule changes, and provides for an additional one-year extension. Canadian Pacific Railway indicated that both sides have achieved important gains and will be able to work together to produce the kind of customer-focused service that creates value in the market.

The settlement is subject to ratification by CAW members, a process expected to be completed within three weeks.