(Montreal) Workers at the Canadian National Railway Company, Canadian National, (CN) have backed strike votes as negotiations between their union representatives and the employer enter a final phase for the renewal of the employment contract of approximately 3,000 employees in Canada.
The Unifor union announced on Sunday that workers in Local 100 supported the strike mandate 98%, while those in Council 4000 supported it 97%.
Another round of talks is due to take place next week.
Unifor says it broke off talks with CN last month and launched the strike vote asking the rail company to withdraw the requested concessions. According to the union, these concessions include the loss of accrued vacation rights, the removal of consent to early retirement at age 55 and a benefits plan that does not extend coverage and would require workers to pay for services such as dental care.
CN says its latest offer includes a net increase in wages and benefits.
The company, which is headquartered in Montreal, does not expect its operations to be affected if workers, including office staff and mechanics, take industrial action.