CN Rail & Unifor in harmony

Canadian National Railway (CN) has reached a tentative four-year collective agreement with Unifor. The union represents approximately 3,300 employees at CN in Canada, working in different mechanical, clerical, and intermodal functions.
The agreement, pending ratification by union members, was announced on December 9, just three weeks before the current contract’s expiration of December 31. Though no details of the tentative agreement will be released publicly until it has been ratified, Unifor Council 4000 officials expressed satisfaction with the deal, highlighting “meaningful gains” achieved through extensive negotiations
The Unifor members of Council 4000 and Local 100 had voted overwhelmingly in favour of job action, with 97% supporting a strike if an agreement could not be reached by January 1, 2025. Council 4000 represents over 3,300 workers in customer service, clerical roles and mechanical operations. While Local 100 represents approximately 2,100 workers, including mechanics and heavy equipment operators. They had been looking for job security with improved wages and working conditions in the deal.
Given the recent spate of labour disruptions and governmental orders that have affected Canada’s supply chain recently, it is nice to see a negotiated settlement that avoids any further disruptions.