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Yesterday, the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) announced its members have ratified a four-year contract with VIA Rail Canada Inc.

Retroactive to Jan. 1, the agreement includes wage increases of 2 percent, 2.5 percent, 3 percent and 3 percent for the four years; health care benefit changes; and a new health care spending account for retirees.

The ratification follows an agreement in principle reached on April 8. TCRC represents about 350 VIA Rail locomotive engineers and yardmasters. About 89 percent of the members voted to accept the contract, Teamsters and VIA Rail officials said in a joint statement.

“We feel that this contract is fair and that it balances the best interests of the company and our employees,” said VIA Rail President and Chief Executive Officer Marc Laliberte.