CN reaches tentative agreement with union representing mechanics, clerks

Canadian National Railway has reached a tentative agreement with the union representing its mechanical workers and clerks, the company announced on Monday, just two weeks after workers voted to authorize a strike.

Details from the tentative four-year agreement with Unifor will not be released publicly until it is ratified, according to a CN news release. The current collective agreement is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2024.

Two weeks ago, Unifor said two of its member groups voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike mandate that would have seen workers walk off the job as soon as Jan. 1, 2025.

One group comprises 2,100 mechanics, technicians, crane operators, machinists and electricians, and the other includes 1,500 administrators and customer support staff.

"This agreement marks a significant step forward in securing improved conditions and protections for Unifor members at CN," said a letter to members on the Unifor website.

The workers were calling for improved job security, higher wages and better working conditions at CN, which has its headquarters in Montreal.

Last summer, CN and its railway rival CPKC shut down operations when they locked out more than 9,000 engineers, mechanics and yard workers. The work stoppage ended with federal intervention less than 17 hours after the lockout began.

Labour minister Stephen MacKinnon posted a statement on X acknowledging the tentative deal on Monday afternoon.

"Thank you to the parties for putting in the work to get a deal and to federal mediators for their support. Negotiated agreements are always the best way forward," he wrote.