Last Friday, the Tribunal administratif du travail ruled that the Ville de Châteauguay’s outside workers had held an illegal strike. The single-afternoon strike occurred several days ago. In a written statement signed by its executive committee, the union acknowledges the decision, but qualifies the strike as a symbolic gesture expressing the workers’ deep concern with the employer’s refusal to take part in actual labour relations.
The union would also like to set the record straight. Contrary to what the city is insinuating, the demonstration held during the municipal council meeting was not a “disruption.” The police forces at the scene confirmed that it was a peaceful demonstration. The Tribunal’s decision notes a single, first offence, namely a work stoppage for one afternoon.
Note that the union cancelled a week-long strike scheduled for November to avoid affecting the public and to give mediation a chance. In the meantime, the city has opted for confrontation: it refuses to discuss the matter in a labour relations committee meeting, unilaterally changes working conditions and demands major rollbacks without providing evidence for them.
“The story isn’t the strike itself,” reads the union’s written statement. “It is what is driving workers to take this action: the contempt of an employer who gives orders rather than being open to discussion. […] Instead of reaching out, the city is turning people against its municipal employees by misrepresenting our pressure tactics.”
The union reasserts its commitment to the public and hopes for a fair, respectful and fact-based agreement. The city is invited to return to the negotiating table in transparency and good faith.
For more information, the full statement from the union representing the Ville de Châteauguay’s outside workers is available online (in French).