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Canadian National Railway Co. officials recently agreed to meet with United Transportation Union representatives to discuss problems associated with U.S. operating crews' requirement to wear special reflective safety vests while on duty, according to a news item on UTU's Web site.

UTU officials believe the vests can "contribute to unsafe conditions" because brakemen are finding that, in windy conditions or when riding on the side of a rail car, portions of the vest fly up into their faces and restrict vision. In addition, the vest material has no perforations and traps heat and perspiration, leading to dehydration, UTU officials claim.

CN officials agreed to meet with a UTU-designated negotiating team to determine solutions to the problems, union officials said.