Several inside and outside workers in the own of Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Quebec demonstrated last evening in front of the town hall to voice their disappointment with the slow pace of negotiations aimed at renewing their contract. The workers asked mayor François Robillard to get involved to bring about a satisfactory agreement between the parties by requesting that the general manager of the town sit down at the bargaining table.
For months, the union has expressed frustration at the lack of people able to make decisions at the bargaining table, particularly the general manager. Before the town council meeting, the mayor agreed to meet with the union representatives, who explained to him that they had made wage proposals. However, the employer never responded with a counter-offer, which the union members described as a lack of leadership.
“In spite of six bargaining sessions for each of the two groups, no progress has been made on some monetary issues. Mayor Robillard informed us that the spokesperson at the bargaining table can make decisions and resolve the impasse on outstanding issues, which we doubt,” said CUPE representative Stéphane Paré.
On September 12, 2023, the inside and outside workers unanimously voted in favour of a mandate calling for pressure tactics up to and including strike action. Following the meeting with the mayor and the general manager, both locals are evaluating the possibility of resorting to other pressure tactics, including strike action, within the next few weeks.