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United Steelworkers (USW) members have ratified a four-year agreement with Canadian National Railway Co. The previous contract expired on Dec. 31.

The new pact provides members the highest wage increases in the rail sector, said USW National Director Ken Neumann in a prepared statement. And for the first time, workers will receive cards to purchase prescription drugs without incurring out-of-pocket costs.

In addition, the agreement calls for a $1,000 signing bonus, improvements to dental, short-term disability and extended health care benefits, and the introduction of a post-retirement health care program.

"The new agreement reflects our employees' endorsement of bargaining solutions that reward them for helping us find solutions that increase productivity," said CN Vice President of Labor Relations Kim Madigan.

The USW represents about 3,000 track maintenance workers at CN. The union's membership totals more than 280,000 in Canada.