Montreal’s public transit users may face challenges when the school year begins this fall as the union representing 2,400 maintenance workers at the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) might strike again around that time, now accusing the employer of delaying negotiations after nine mediation sessions.
The Syndicat du transport de Montréal-CSN told Le Devoir that after their week-long strike a month ago, negotiations are stalled, despite the presence of a mediator.
Adding that the lawyer representing the STM has had limited availability, and that it was agreed upon that the parties would each give a list of priorities to expedite discussions. The union said they had prioritized their demands while the employer hasn’t given a priority list as of yet.
The STM told CityNews in a statement that they are immediately surprised by the union’s response, “given that the mediator clearly stated, from the very first meeting, the importance of confidentiality in the process. He requested the cooperation of both parties in this regard.”
Adding that “while respecting the confidentiality of what is discussed during the meetings, we find that the negotiations are moving in the right direction since the mediator’s involvement.”
The mediator’s presence allowed the parties to discuss outstanding issues, establish a clear work sequence with specific deadlines, and establish a steady pace, the STM explained.
“We are fully respecting the agreed-upon deadlines and are continuing our work in a reasoned and constructive manner,” they added. “Regarding the frequency of meetings, since the end of the strike and the appointment of the mediator, meetings have been held two to three days per week. In fact, we have three days of meetings this week and three next week. A three-week summer break is scheduled for the end of July, as the STM has accepted the union’s suggestion not to meet during the mediator’s vacation.”
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The strike last month took place from June 9 to 17.
During the first phase of it, there was no service outside of essential service periods, causing numerous headaches for public transit users.
The strike was suspended for the Grand Prix weekend. Security reasons were cited as the reason for the pause, given the large number of people expected to travel to Notre-Dame Island for the motor racing event.
Now, the union hasn’t ruled out launching another strike, and it could possibly coincide with the start of academic year this fall.
The Syndicat du transport de Montréal-CSN told Le Devoir that they’ve spread out vacation time to help move this forward with hopes to reach an agreement by September — but adding that they don’t see how they will be doing that.
