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The Transportation Communications Union (TCU) recently sent ratification ballots to Brotherhood of Railway Carmen Division members regarding a tentative five-year agreement reached with Canadian Pacific Railway's Soo Line Railroad Co. on May 29. Ballots are due June 25.

Retroactive to Jan. 1, 2005, and expiring Dec. 31, 2009, the pact calls for a 17 percent general wage increase, which on a compounded basis rises to 18.2 percent. The agreement also includes health and welfare contribution and benefit changes, and no work rule concessions.

"The average member will realize a significant wage gain over the life of the agreement, even after allowing for higher monthly health and welfare contributions," TCU officials said in a letter to carmen division members.