CN, Teamsters sign collective agreements

CN, Teamsters sign collective agreements    Canadian National Railway Co. and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) reported Monday the ratification of two five-year collective agreements by TCRC members.
   One agreement applies to CN locomotive engineers across Canada, while the other agreement covers engineers working on CN’s Northern Quebec Territory. Nationally, the TCRC has roughly 1,600 active members at CN, with 1,490 in freight service. Its Northern Quebec Territory unit represents roughly 65 CN employees.
   “The five-year term of the contracts assures long-term labor stability for the company’s locomotive engineers — a clear benefit to our members, to CN and the rail industry, and to the businesses and commuter agencies that rely on CN for dependable transportation,” said Gilles Hall', president of the TCRC.
   “The TCRC contract ratifications represent a milestone for CN, bringing to a close national labor negotiations in Canada. CN has renewed eight labor contracts, the majority of which expired at the end of 2003. With bargaining complete, management and unions across the company today now are focused squarely on providing our customers with superior transportation service,” said E. Hunter Harrison, president and chief executive officer of CN.