As the STM maintenance union members’ fourth strike stretches into its second day, the union is accusing the transit company of instigating a “fear campaign” aimed at users to support its future arbitration request.
In a recent press conference, union president Bruno Jeannotte highlighted that the Montreal Transit Corporation is allegedly creating a sense of panic through its reports on the rising number of missing buses amid the ongoing month-long strike.
In a statement released earlier, the STM forecasted 255 buses to be out of service during the week of Jan. 4, with an anticipated 265 buses missing by the week of Jan. 11, coinciding with the strike’s conclusion.
Additionally, the STM pointed out that these bus absences would compound the existing staff shortages due to the holiday season, leading to decreased bus availability that could inconvenience commuters.
Jeannotte further contends that the STM’s actions are part of an effort to lay the groundwork for a potential request for arbitration from the Minister of Labour in a bid to resolve the ongoing dispute between the involved parties.
