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Yesterday, Canadian National Railway Co. announced 325 United Transportation Union-represented brakemen and conductors at its Grand Trunk Western (GTW) territory ratified an agreement.

In lieu of a traditional mileage- and rule-based wage system — which dates back to the steam locomotive era — the contract stipulates hourly wages, job guarantees and more flexible work rules, according to a CN statement.

All of CN's 2,300 U.S. train and engine-service workers now are covered by hourly-rated agreements.

GTW's mainline between Port Huron, Mich., and Chicago provides CN's network a U.S.-Canada link between the Midwest, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes.

Meanwhile, CN also reached a tentative agreement with 470 Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes-represented workers on the Class I's Wisconsin Central Division. Contract details weren't disclosed pending ratification.