CN, railworkers strike new deal avoiding potential strike

OTTAWA — The union representing some 3,000 railworkers says it has reached a new deal with Canadian National Railway, averting the threat of another national rail strike.

In a release Sunday (Dec. 22), Unifor says the new collective agreement is good for four years, though it did not say how many members voted in favour of the contract.

Members of Unifor Council 4000 (97 per cent) and Local 100 (96 per cent) voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action last month, that could have workers working off the job as early as New Year’s Day, in a fight for better job security, compensation, and working conditions

Sunday’s release says the new contract includes “meaningful improvements” to pay, benefits and job protections for CN workers at rail terminals and headquarters across Canada.