TORONTO, Sept 30 (Reuters) - The Canadian Auto Workers union said on Monday it reached a tentative three-year contract agreement with Ford Motor Co. of Canada , beating the deadline of midnight on Tuesday for a strike that could have crippled the automaker's North American operations.
No details of the three-year agreement were immediately available, but it was expected to mirror closely a deal ratified by General Motors of Canada workers last week.
That three-year agreement gave them a three-percent wage increase in the first two years and a two-percent hike in the third year, a C$1,000 ($633.00) signing bonus, 36 hours in additional paid time off and improved healthcare benefits.
The union will now vote to ratify the Ford agreement, then turn its sights on DaimlerChrysler Canada , with an eye to wrapping up negotiations by mid-October.
($1=$1.59 Canadian)