Members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) voted 91.3 percent in favor of the deal.

It was reached following an eight day strike in November that tied up grain shipments.

Conductors, yard workers and train persons will receive annual wage increases of 2.5%/2.5%/3%. There is also a taxable $1,000 ratification bonus.

Wages were not the main issue in the strike. The TCRC wanted concessions on work schedules, hour of work and crew fatigue.

“We’ve succeeded in getting CN to adjust some of its practices in the interests of safety. But the core problem of fatigue in the rail industry can only be solved through government regulations,” said Lyndon Isaak, TCRC president. “The issue of fatigue is far from settled.”

The new collective agreement will expire on July 22, 2022

(CJWW)