There will be a strike by bus drivers at the Société de transport de Laval on November 3, as well as on the 15th and 26th of the same month.
The relevant local of the Canadian Union of Public Employees affiliated with the FTQ, which represents them, made the announcement on Wednesday. The union represents 627 bus drivers.
The management of the STL finds this decision of the bus drivers’ union inadmissible, while the parties are only at their second mediation session.
The essential services to be maintained during these three days of strike will now have to be determined.
The union members had a strike mandate last January, in a proportion of 99%. The management of the STL had requested mediation in mid-September.
The union relates, among the points in dispute, the willingness of the transport company to cancel bus trips when demand is not sufficient, as well as the flexibility expected from supernumerary drivers and the choice of schedules.
Regarding the salary issue, the union claims to demand the same increases as what is offered in other sectors of activity.
The STL, like other public transit companies, was greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a drop in ridership, and therefore a decrease in revenues. She argues that her financial framework is therefore tight and that she must adhere to it.
The STL claims that it has managed to come to an agreement with other unions, while respecting its financial framework. “These agreements were concluded with the same financial and operational parameters as those proposed for the renewal of the collective agreement for drivers. “