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Late last week, VIA Rail Canada Inc. and the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year agreement covering more than 2,400 station, on-train, maintenance and administrative workers, averting a potential strike.

Expiring Dec. 31, 2006, the contract would include annual wage increases of 3 percent retroactive to Jan. 1, 2004, and a 1 percent across-the-board
raise effective Jan. 1, 2005; shift differential increases up to 100 percent by the contract's third year; and a no-cost, long-term disability plan.

CAW officials soon will conduct a ratification vote; results will be announced before Aug. 31.