Unifor opens negotiations with CN Rail

MONTREAL, Sept. 19, 2014 /CNW/ - Unifor is opening negotiations with CN Rail this morning in Montreal, kicking off contract talks for approximately 5,000 workers across the country.

Unifor National President Jerry Dias opened negotiations, expressing that the union expects this new contract will bring a fair agreement that recognizes Unifor members' efforts in making CN the wealthy company it is today.

"CN is very profitable and continues to enjoy high productivity gains," said Dias. "In this round of negotiations, we will be looking to ensure our members share in the improvements that they had a part in creating. We're feeling optimistic and determined to get this deal done. "

Unifor has five collective agreements with CN Rail, which cover mechanics, clerical workers, excavator operators, and truck drivers. Unifor Local 100 represents skilled trades in mechanical shops and Unifor Council 4000 represents intermodal, clerical, mechanics and owner operators.  All agreements expire on December 31. Unifor is the largest union at CN.

Negotiations will continue next month.

Unifor represents 12,500 rail workers across Canada, and more than 305,000 members across the country in every economic sector. The current collective agreement expires on December 31, 2014. Unifor opened negotiations with CP Rail on Wednesday, September 17 in Montreal.

SOURCE: Unifor