CUPE 7000 members ratify agreement with Southern Railway

BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 4, 2015) - CUPE 7000, representing 126 employees of Southern Railway (SRY), this afternoon ratified a tentative agreement reached late last week with the U.S.-owned company. They will begin returning to work tomorrow.

Key elements of the seven-year agreement, retroactive to April 1, 2014, include preservation of post-retiree benefits, improvements to dental benefits, improvements to training and working conditions, and annual wage increases of 2.5, 2, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, and 1.5 per cent, respectively.

The package was ratified today at a packed union meeting attended by 113 of the 126 members. Following a presentation by the bargaining committee and a lengthy discussion, 68 per cent voted in favour.

During the 119-day lockout, Southern Railway managers operated the system. The two sides returned to the bargaining table on March 30.