Federal mediators have asked Canadian National Railway and its striking union members to resume negotiations in Montreal on Wednesday.

The Canadian Auto Workers union has been consulting its membership about the latest offers made by CN during a meeting with chief executive Hunter Harrison on the weekend. In addition to a three-year contract previously offered with a three per cent wage increase each year, Harrison has offered a lump sum bonus, or adding a fourth year with a four-per-cent increase.

Another option to resolve the strike would be to resort to non-binding arbitration by a third party, he said.

The 5,000 clerical, shopcraft and intermodal yard employees have been on strike since Feb. 20 in support of talks to renew a contract expired Dec. 31.

CN management continues to maintain and operate the trains, with some delays.