Saint-Sulpice, QC – The Saint-Sulpice City Council meeting on June 4 was overwhelmed by a protest of more than a hundred residents, including six CUPE city workers. Marie-Josée Masson was the name on everybody’s lips, (the municipality’s director general) as demonstrators unanimously called for her dismissal.
The gathering marked a major event for the town of 3,500 people and was a direct result of mounting frustration with the municipality’s management.
For more than two years, city workers have been subjected to an unhealthy work environment and dysfunctional labour relations. They sounded the alarm on countless occasions about the repeated failure to respect the collective agreement, which in turn leaves taxpayers with a costly backlog of grievances.
These management problems have since had repercussions on several city activities. Demonstrators condemned the cancellation of popular events including the country music festival and lawn bowling tournament, as well as unreasonable delays with the installation of municipal wharves.
“We tried everything to remedy the work environment at City Hall. Our latest attempt was a letter of understanding that would settle 16 grievances at a mere cost of $1,100 for the city. But our city management has spent the last three months criticizing our attempt at reconciliation,” explained Mario Lamontagne, union representative for CUPE Local 4499 and for Saint-Sulpice’s blue- and white-collar workers.
“Judging by the size and enthusiasm of Monday night’s demonstration, the poor labour relations were just the tip of the iceberg. The citizens of St-Sulpice are now coming out in droves to demand change. We’re more than happy to support them and we won’t give up,” said the union representative.
For more information:
Sébastien Goulet
CUPE Communiciations
Cell: 438 882-3756
Email: sgoulet@scfp.qc.ca