Unifor ratifies CN contracts; NCFO ratifies NCCC pact

Unifor members who work for CN yesterday ratified new four-year collective agreements, the Class I and union announced today.

The union represents 3,300 employees at CN in Canada, working in different mechanical, clerical and intermodal functions, all covered by multiple collective agreements.

"This agreement secures important gains that reflect the critical contributions of Unifor members to CN's operations," said Unifor National President Lana Payne in a press release. "We are proud to deliver improvements that address pension security, work ownership and working conditions, which were top priorities for members."

The new agreements include 3% wage increases annually and expire Dec. 31, 2028.

"By working together with Unifor, we now have new agreements that strengthen our workforce and enhance our ability to serve customers reliably across North America," said CN President and CEO Tracy Robinson in a press release.

Meanwhile, National Conference of Firemen and Oilers (NFCO) members have ratified a national bargaining agreement with the National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC). The ratified contract will cover NCFO-represented freight rail employees through Dec. 31, 2029, the National Railway Labor Conference announced Dec. 20.

The NCFO contract follows the pattern established by earlier local agreements between several rail carriers and unions as well as agreements reached at the national level since the bargaining round began on Nov. 1. The terms include wage increases of 18.8% over five years; enhancements to health and welfare benefits with no increase to the employee contribution rate; and access to more paid vacation time for employees earlier in their careers.