Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery agreement rejected by union members, strike continues

A tentative agreement reached June 15 to end a workers’ strike at Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery, has fallen through.

In a press release, the CSN union representing the Montreal cemetery workers, say members rejected the conciliator’s recommendations and the return-to-work protocol.

They felt the recommendations were “too weak” and the employer’s proposals were “unacceptable.”

“The workers decided to continue the strike they have been waging for several months, and will continue the battle for better working conditions,” the statement reads.

The cemetery has been closed since January amid the labour dispute and more than 300 bodies are currently in cold storage, waiting to be buried.

“What the members saw in the presentations was that the employer wanted to set us back virtually everywhere. What really gets to us in the bosses’ attitude is the lack of recognition of our work they are showing by proposing such a disappointing return-to-work protocol. It’s a lack of respect. We were losing out on various established gains. I have confidence in our members; they made the right decision,” says Patrick Chartrand, President of the Cemetery Maintenance Employees Union.

BACKGROUND:

• Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery agreement vote postponed
• Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery tentative agreement reached, but will remain closed for Father’s Day
• Gates of Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery remain closed, families left unable to grieve loved ones
• Visitors unhappy with state of Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery on Mother’s Day
• Montrealers sidestepping fallen branches, damaging secondary trails on Mount Royal

 

“We’re two unions and we’ve been fighting together for so long… we’re not going to give up now. We endured years of labor strife before going out on strike. If we had voted in favor of the sorry back-to-work protocol, we would have opened the door to a real nightmare for years to come. This was not an easy decision for us to make, as we look forward to proudly welcoming families at the cemetery, while being respected in our work,” defends Eric Dufault, president of the office workers’ union.

“The Fabrique Notre-Dame has today missed the opportunity to reintegrate its workers in a healthy and satisfactory climate. I would like to congratulate all the activists involved in this historic struggle. The Central Council and all its components support them from the bottom of our hearts,” says Dominique Daignault, President of the Conseil central du Montréal métropolitain-CSN.

“This is a negotiation that has been difficult for so long. The members have told the employer loud and clear that they disagree in particular with the conditions for returning to work. We fully respect the choice they’ve made. It’s important for them to know that we support them and that they can count on us to the end,” says Linda Tavolaro, General Secretary of the Fédération des employées et employés de services publics-CSN.