CN Strike averted Engineers offered raises and better benefits

Ken Johnston

Literally in the eleventh hour last Tuesday CNR and its engineers (Teamsters Canada Rail Conference) reached a tentative agreement averting a strike.
The TCRC has roughly 1,600 active employees at CN, with 1,490 in freight service.
E. Hunter Harrison, president and chief executive officer of CN, said: “I am pleased that CN and the TCRC were able to resolve outstanding issues and reach a new collective agreement without labour disruption. This allows all of us at CN to remain focused on our customers and their transportation needs.”
The five year deal is retroactive to 2004 and runs until 2008. If ratified it will include 3% wage increases in the first three years and 4% in the last two years.
Employees will also be entitled to three signing bonuses totalling $3,000.
An issue union leaders said they were concerned with before the strike deadline has been resolved in the agreement. The Company Employee Share Investment Plan will continue to be available to eligible employees. However, CNR can alter, amend revise or discontinue the plan in any manner with 30 days written notice to the union.
Employees will also receive increases in the following benefits: Extended Health Care, Short Term Disability, Dental, Life Insurance, Orthodontics and Vision.
Employees in the yard will also receive a one time wage increase of 50¢ per hour retroactive to Dec. 31, 2003.