Canadian National Railway and the Canadian Auto Workers union reached a tentative agreement Monday that could end a strike by 5,000 employees that began February 20.

The three-year deal provides for a return-to-work bonus of $1,000 and annual salary increases of three per cent, the union said. The Canadian Auto Workers also said the company has agreed to return to the disciplinary system that was in place before Jan. 1, 2001.

CAW members had complained the current system was heavy-handed. "The discipline issue, the question of the atmosphere in the workplace and the feelings of lack of respect that our members were reporting was certainly the most important universal issue, and that was resolved thankfully last night," said union spokesman Abe Rosner.

Improved shift differentials were also obtained in the negotiations, the union said.
"We've never had a strike on the railways for getting a bigger raise," Rosner said. "The strikes are not frequent, but generally they've been over the way people are treated, taking things away from them, sending their work out of the country. Those types of issues can incite anger."

Voting is expected to be held this week. The strike will continue until the agreement is ratified.

CAW shopcraft, intermodal and clerical wokers have been on strike since Feb. 20. Their previous contract expired last Dec. 31.

CN and the union also said Monday they reached a tentative agreement covering owner-operator truck drivers represented by the CAW. Those drivers are not on strike.

The railway has continued to operate during the strike. Company spokesman Mark Hallman said CN is "pleased with the development and the prospect of ending this labor dispute."