New strike dates set by STM maintenance workers 

Maintenance workers at the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) have announced new strike dates, starting overnight Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 and ending Nov. 28.

On Tuesday, the Syndicat du transport de Montréal-CSN (CSN), which represents 2,400 maintenance employees, issued the strike notice. “After more than 115 negotiation meetings, the STM remains fixed in its positions and refuses to add the necessary people to the table to reach an agreement.”

“There is so much to do to properly maintain the metros and buses,” said Stéphanie Gratton, vice-president of the Fédération des employées et employés de services publics-CSN (FEESP-CSN).

“When people use public transit, they want to count on quality service. It’s absolutely essential to maintain good working conditions to achieve this and not open the door wide to the private sector.”

The union argues this third strike since June “once again becomes necessary in the face of the STM’s senseless inflexibility.”

“Every move the union makes at the bargaining table is met with a cold shoulder by the transit authority.”

“Right now the employer has stayed always on the same position he has at the beginning, about subcontracting, about overtime, about flexibility,” said François Enault, the CSN’s first vice-president.

“On the side of the employer, they’re still with the same three people: one lawyer from outside and two people from HR. Where are the people who make the decisions? Why don’t they come to the table?”

Two other strikes were previously held by STM maintenance workers this year: from June 9 to 17, and more recently from Sept. 22 to Oct. 5.

This new strike will take the form of a refusal to work overtime, combined with occasional service disruptions, but outside of rush hours — like with the second strike in September-October.

Labor Minister Jean Boulet recently appointed a team of four conciliator-mediators to attempt to bring the parties together. Mediation is ongoing.

The dispute concerns wages and the use of subcontracting.

In a press release published to their website, the STM said tit will communicate any potential impacts on service as soon as the Administrative Labour Tribunal (TAT) renders its decision to provide maximum predictability to its customers.

They reminded that new chapter of negotiations began on Oct. 7 with a renewed team of mediators appointed by the Minister of Labour.

“Separate meetings were held with the mediation team,” they explained. “And only a few meetings brought together all parties.”

Stalling for new labour law?

The union says the STM has been stalling negotiations and waiting for Quebec’s new labour law to go into effect on Nov. 30.

The law, known as Bill 89, would give Quebec the power to end lockouts.

Union officials say the goal is to put enough pressure on their employer to come to an agreement within the next 10 days.

“This is the reason we’re putting some pressure on the employer and go on strike right now because after November 30 the minister will be allowed to stop the strike,” Enault explained.

Boulet said Tuesday the new bill could apply to end the conflict if passed.

“We would have to make sure that mediation is truly unsuccessful,” the minister said. “And hypothetically, on November 30, if we find ourselves in that situation, the law that is currently Law 14 could apply.”

The STM fired back, saying the union isn’t giving negotiations a fair chance.

The two parties had entered a new phase in negotiations after the end of the union’s September strike, this time facilitated by mediators appointed by Quebec’s labour minister.

“We are disappointed that the union did not give the new process, which has only just begun, a chance before exercising its right to strike so hastily,” Marie-Claude Léonard, director general of the STM, told CityNews in a statement. “We remain committed to reaching an agreement that takes into account the essential need for flexibility and the difficult and unprecedented financial situation we find ourselves in.”

What commuters are saying

Commuters, meanwhile, are bracing for another month of service disruptions, with many torn between empathy for workers and frustration over delays.

“People who take public transport, it’s a bit inconvenient, but fight for your rights, I guess. … Thats what we want, to inspire people to fight for their rights as workers.”

“If they need it, it’s great, but for us it will be hard to manage.”

“I hope they get what they’re asking for, ultimately.”

“That’s unfortunate, especially since it’s getting cold out, people aren’t walking around as much. … Give the people a break.”

—With files from La Presse Canadienne