STM bus drivers and metro operators to strike again on Nov. 15 and 16, risking full transit shutdown

The union representing 4,500 bus drivers and metro operators at the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is putting its money where its mouth is: it has announced two more days of strike action, on Nov. 15 and 16.

The STM reports that it has received a new strike notice to this effect.

This local branch of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE Local 1983), affiliated with the FTQ, had already walked off the job for one day on Nov. 1.

During this strike day, which fell on a Saturday, there was no metro or bus service.

It is unclear what the situation will be on Nov. 15 and 16. The Quebec labour tribunal (TAT) will have to rule on which essential services must be maintained, and whether there should even be any.

The STM has indicated that, unlike on Nov. 1, no agreement has been reached with the drivers’ union.

“No agreement has been reached between the STM and the union on the essential services to be maintained during these two days,” the STM said in a statement. “That is why there will be a hearing before the TAT.”

In this context, the transit company is sending a message to all organizations that will be affected by this potential strike, inviting them to present their views to the labour tribunal. However, it points out that the tribunal must base its decisions on criteria related to public health and safety.

STM will hold a press conference Friday morning to update the public on the negotiations with the unions.

Daily life affected

Family doctor Douglas Dalton said he his clinic has been seeing a lot of cancellations and rebooking requests from patients to fit with the metro’s rush hour schedule.

“I had a patient who I was seeing him about 7:30 p.m., there was no metro or anything he’s a 75 year old man and I saw him hitchhiking his way home at about 8 p.m., so it does impact people.” Dalton said.

Éric Lussier, who works as a stage technician said that his work schedule doesn’t fit with the restricted service hours during the strike.

“I’m not working at a regular hour,” Lussier said. “So I have to [plan my commute much early], like two hours before my job.”

Another Montrealer Adithi Sathishkumar said apart from commuting to work, a full shutdown last weekend disrupted even chores like grocery shopping.

“I had to walk till my home climbing [up] a hill,” Satishkumar said. “It was a difficult day for me.”

Eli, a Concordia University student, who lives on the South Shore, said he skipped buying a monthly STM pass for November, instead relying on rides from his father and walking. But, others at school do not have those options, he said.

“My friends and my girlfriend are trapped at school for hours because their classes finished at like 10 a.m. and then they have to wait till 2:45 p.m. (for the service to resume),” he said.

He said he hoped the strike would end before it’s time for the finals.

“I think it would definitely be better for a lot of people, especially, students,” he added. “So you don’t have to take hours out of your day to get here on time for an exam.”

Karine, a French tourist, said she is forced to plan her activities around the partial service schedule.

“It’s more difficult for me, especially in the evening, when I go out and really have to check the schedule,” she said. “But I understand and I deal with it. That’s it.

Phillipe Jacques, co-director and spokesperson for Trajectoire Québec, a non-profit that advocates on behalf of public transit users in the province said that with nearly 50 per cent of STM usage outside of rush hours, the impact of the month-long strike only beginning to be felt in the first week. Jacques said the repeat of a full shutdown seen last week would make the situation even worse.

“It was a nightmare as well for the automobiles,” he said. “The traffic was insane.”

Jacques also expressed frustration with TAT’s justification for allowing a full-day strike last weekend saying that doesn’t impact public health and safety.

Negotiations continue

STM said it is continuing negotiations with the bus drivers and metro operators union with a mediator and that it held 64 meetings till date. A meeting with the maintenance workers union is planned for Thursday, it said.

In a statement, CUPE Local 1983, said it has met with the mayor-elect Soraya Martinez Ferrada during which she said that the City will not increase its funding for STM.

“We feel that this shows a lack of leadership on the part of the mayor of Montreal. We had hoped that her arrival would help find a way out of the crisis, particularly with her promises regarding public transportation. Unfortunately, what she told us was that this was not her priority,” said Frederic Therrien, CUPE Local 1983.

Accelerating Bill 89

At a press conference, Thursday morning Labour Minister Jean Boulet said he was considering fast-tracking the legislation that would grant him the powers to intervene in case of strike by essential services.

“I think it’s terrible,” Boulet said. “It’s causing human, social, and economic damage in Montreal.”

“I am seriously considering moving [the legislation] ahead. But to do so, I will certainly need the cooperation of the opposition parties,” he added.

The union also criticized Boulet’s plans to advance the legislation.

“The CAQ is handling this issue in the worst possible way. By threatening to bring forward the implementation of his bill, Minister Boulet is undermining the chances of a quick, negotiated settlement between the parties. The message he is sending to the STM is to wait, and that he will settle the issue for them by imposing a labour contract on us. Meanwhile, the conflict continues and services are affected. This shows a total lack of vision,” Therrien added.

Trajectoire Québec spokesperson Jacques said that the proposed legislation that could allow certain level of essential service to maintained was desirable, he hoped that the unions and STM can reach an agreement directly or through arbitration.

“If there’s strike with that new bill, at least it’s going to protect people who will suffer the most otherwise,” said Jacques. “We think it’s time for go to arbitration and then end the strike.”

This potential bus driver strike is in addition to the strike by 2,400 maintenance workers, which has been ongoing since Nov. 1 and is scheduled to last until Nov. 28. In this case, however, essential services are being provided during rush hour.

– With files from La Presse Canadienne