With No Agreement in Sight, Strike under Consideration
Trois-Rivir0065s We are still far from an agreement with the Socit de transport de Trois-Rivir0065s (STTR). Contrary to certain media reports, STTR bus drivers never unanimously adopted a working hypothesis submitted by the conciliator during the meeting held yesterday evening. It is true that a hypothesis was presented; however, no vote was taken. On the other hand, the employers offers conveyed by the conciliator were unanimously rejected by some 70 union members attending the meeting. Unless an agreement is concluded within the next few days, the Union intends to exercise its mandate to strike, and could do so as early as October 5.
Luc Giroux, Union president, pointed out that although he hopes an agreement can be concluded very soon, important points have still not been settled, including the salary indexation issue and the ‘bank’ clause in the retirement plan. We will remain at the disposal of the conciliator for the meeting on Wednesday evening, but we could very well be on strike next week.
The collective agreement expired on December 31, 2001. Talks between the parties began on February 20, 2002 but have still not reached a satisfactory settlement. Union members went out on strike earlier this year for three days from June 6 to 8.
Local 4115 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (SCFP-FTQ) represents bus drivers, mechanics and office personnel, a total of 100 STTR employees.
CUPE has some 6500 members in urban transportation in Qub0065c. In addition to this sector of activity, CUPE is also active in 10 other sectors including universities, communications, education, municipalities, air transportation, health and social services. With close to 100,000 members in Qub0065c, it is the largest FTQ affiliate.
This press release and other information are posted on the Internet at scfp.qc.ca
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SOURCE: CANADIAN UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES (FTQ)