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Yesterday, the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) announced it appointed Grant Bailey vice president of rail. He will be responsible for the operations of the 700-mile Ontario Northland Railway, and Northlander, Little Bear and Polar Bear Express passenger-rail services.

Bailey most recently served as general manager of the Ottawa Valley Railway, a 302-mile regional owned by RailAmerica Inc.

ONTC also announced the United Steelworkers of America Union Local 1976 — which represents rail traffic controllers, and customer service and sales employees — ratified a three-year contract. The previous contract expired Dec. 31, 2004.

The pact calls for annual wage increases of 3 percent (retroactive to Jan. 1) and various benefit package improvements.

Operating primarily in northeastern Ontario, ONTC provides freight- and passenger-rail, motor coach scheduled and charter, and telecommunication services.