CN, United Steelworkers’ agreement includes improved dental, health benefits

The tentative agreement reached by the Canadian National Railway Co. and the United Steelworkers union has been approved by a national ratification vote.

In addition to wage increases each year of five-year agreement, it includes improved medical, dental and health-care benefits, as well as enhanced travel allowances for the 3,000 union members who inspect, maintain and repair CN’s infrastructure.

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“I congratulate the leadership and members of USW local 2004 for the solidarity they have demonstrated in achieving a good collective agreement that will benefit CN as well as workers and their families,” said Ken Neumann, the union’s national director.

“This agreement reflects the fact that these maintenance-of-way employees work in extremely challenging conditions every day, performing services that are vital to CN’s operations.”

The ratification comes days after the railway’s 2,100 mechanics, electricians and apprentices ratified a new contract that provided 11 per cent wage increases over four years.

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