The Syndicat des cols bleus regroupés de Montréal (CUPE 301) has expressed its indignation over a costly and insulting decision by the Plateau-Mont-Royal town hall, headed by Luc Rabouin, which hired security guards from the Garda agency to monitor its members’ compliance with health requirements.
“We didn’t receive any complaints. We wear masks and abide by public health guidelines. Like everyone, we’re concerned by this historic crisis that has affected us all, and we do our best to serve and protect Montrealers. Even the Legault government has chosen not to go down that path. So what gives? This initiative calling for the deployment of mask police seems ill-intentioned,” said Luc Bisson, President of CUPE 301.
The managers are normally the ones doing this kind of surveillance. However, they’re now at home and still getting paid. The borough will impose a further financial burden on taxpayers by paying security guards in addition to the managers.
“The managers are staying home while the blue-collar workers are on the front lines where they have been since the start of the pandemic. They, like many others, are tired after going through what has been a very difficult year. With the Holiday Season approaching, we can’t understand this condescending action by the elected officials,” added Bisson.
CUPE 301 has been negotiating with the city centre to renew the collective agreement, which expired in December 2017.