The Quebec Labour tribunal (TAT) approved a strike by office workers union on Nov. 19.
The 1,316 workers belonging to the Syndicat du personnel administratif, technique et professionnel du transport en commun (SCFP-2850) can walk off the job next Wednesday, from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
This would include office workers, IT professionals, accountants, customer support staff as well as fire safety inspector trainers and fire prevention coordinators.
TAT said that it approved the request based on the agreement between the union and the STM for providing essential service to guarantee public health and safety.
In an email statement to CityNews, the STM said that the union staff will provide essential services during the strike, based on the agreement.
“This strike will have no impact on service delivery. However, it is certain that some activities will be slowed down, such as customer service,” the STM said.
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According to the agreement, SCFP-2850 employees will respond to emergency situations.
“Firefighters, analysts, senior analysts, technicians, designers, senior designers, track coordinators, agents, and advisors will be available on a rotating schedule to respond, as needed, within a reasonable time frame to urgent operational needs that threaten public safety or health,” the TAT noted in its decision.
The STM is currently dealing with multiple strikes and negotiations with different unions.
The strike by SCFP-2850 next week will follow a full shutdown this weekend due to strike by bus drivers and metro operators. The full shutdown may be avoided if a last minute deal is reached between the STM and the union of bus drivers and metro operators.
STM maintenance workers’ union which had scheduled to strike from Nov. 1 to Nov. 28, suspended its strike late Tuesday night.
Last night, another union of professional workers announced that they have voted for a strike mandate, however, no date has yet been set for that.
