Several unions representing City of Montréal workers came out this evening to make some noise at the last city council meeting under the Plante Administration. They were unhappy with the way the city has chosen to manage its labour relations.
“It’s ridiculous,” said Jean-Pierre Lauzon, president of CUPE 301, the Syndicat des cols bleus regroupés de Montréal. “Some of our members have to have two or three jobs. Our outside workers are headed toward poverty, and that’s unacceptable given their essential role in our city. Negotiations are underway and, if there were the political will, we could settle quickly.”
The same goes for CUPE 1983, the Syndicat des chauffeurs, opérateurs et employés des services connexes, which is also negotiating with the STM to renew its contract.
“The wage offer is a joke,” condemned Frédéric Therrien, president of CUPE 1983. “Our workers haven’t had a raise since the pandemic, but the cost of living has skyrocketed since. The STM is benefitting financially at its employees’ expense. And politicians are disengaging from the issue of public transit in general, which is worrisome for everyone.”
Inside workers at the Commission des services électriques de Montréal, CSEM, are also negotiating with the city and pointing to the same shortcomings.
“Over the past two years, we’ve lost nearly 20% of our members, many of whom had over ten years of work experience,” explained Mathieu Guibord, president of CUPE 305. “The demonstrations will continue until there is a serious offer on the table. We need to keep this valuable expertise in-house.”
These three unions have been given strike mandates to implement when they see fit.
Municipal election campaigns have just begun, and members want the new elected officials to understand that their unions intend to get involved.