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Sherbrooke, Friday, November 15, 2002 –Following discussions on Wednesday evening during the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Socit de transport de Sherbrooke (STS), the bus drivers’ union submitted a proposal to the employer. If the employer agrees to withdraw its demand to allow hiring of drivers on a non-permanent basis, the union will agree to delay the strike which was to commence at noon on Monday.

The Executive Director and Chairman of the STS responded by informing union representatives that they had already intended to take this step. In view of this development, the conciliator called the parties together on Sunday to discuss the matter. In spite of this meeting, the bus drivers’ strike notice has nevertheless been maintained.

On Monday, the STS bus drivers’ union (CUPE-3434) will inform the media of the latest developments in the bargaining and call to strike. Public transport users in Sherbrooke will probably experience delays in bus routes; the drivers have decided to respect speed limits to the letter and this may cause slow-downs and difficulties in making connections since the current routes cannot function on the current schedule if the drivers do not exceed speed limits.

As well as the 115 STS bus drivers grouped in Local 3434, CUPE represents 6,500 workers in urban transport in Qub0065c and is active in 10 other sectors, including universities, communications, education, municipalities, air transport, and health and social services. With close to 100,000 members in Qub0065c, it is the largest FTQ affiliate.

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SOURCE: CANADIAN UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES (FTQ)