The union representing striking C-N Rail workers is crediting the federal government for helping to reach a tentative agreement to end the walkout.

Teamsters Canada announced this morning it had reached a tentative deal with C-N to renew the collective agreement for over three thousand conductors, trainpersons and yard workers.

The Trudeau government had faced mounting pressure to resolve the strike either through swift mediation, binding arbitration or back-to-work legislation as premiers and industry voiced concerns about lost profits and a critical propane shortage in Quebec.

But Teamsters Canada president Francois Laporte says the government remained calm and focused on helping to bring both sides in the dispute together.

The union also acknowledged the help of Labour Minister Filomena Tassi, Transport Minister Marc Garneau and the federal mediation and conciliation service in reaching the deal.

The Teamsters say they expect normal operations at C-N to resume tomorrow morning.

Details of the agreement, which must be ratified by union members, were not immediately available.

The workers began their strike last week, bringing freight trains to a halt across the country.

C-N’s chief executive thanked the railway’s customers for their patience and support and said full rail operations would resume as soon as possible.

(The Canadian Press)