Employees of the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges cemetery, affiliated with the CSN, demonstrated on Sunday to denounce the staff cuts in recent months.
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They maintain that the employer’s decisions mean that they are not able to ensure the maintenance of the site in an adequate way.
“The site has never been so poorly maintained,” proclaimed the spokesperson and president of the Union of Cemetery Workers (STTCNDDN – CSN), Patrick Charland, in an interview with TVA Nouvelles on Sunday.
“In addition, the dismal condition of several monuments and the general poor maintenance of the cemetery are directly linked to the cuts in positions and hours imposed by our employer. It is not normal that there are some union members who are now ashamed to work here, ”added the man in a statement.
The management of the cemetery decided to close the visits on Sunday, supposedly “to proceed with the disinfection of the place”. However, the cemetery employees have never done this work during this closure period, said Mr. Charland.
“Our employer, when he answers them [aux familles qui se plaignent de l’état du cimetière], he puts that on our backs by saying that on Sundays, we are here to disinfect buildings, which is totally false, ”said Patrick Charland.
“We, what we want is to work for the well-being of families by maintaining the cemetery, which contributes to the embellishment of this Montreal gem and which honors the deceased who rest here in peace,” he said. he continued.
“It’s truly sad. I’m embarrassed and ashamed to wear the logo, ”said Ezra McKay, one of the site’s employees.
Families of the deceased frustrated
A couple who lost their daughter Vanessa, who died suddenly last May, justly complained about the cemetery’s reduced opening hours.
“I spent my time seeing who I can call, how I can get more information, why they are closed on Sundays,” explained Michael Musacchio, father of Vanessa. “It’s not fair, I don’t have time to think about my daughter, I didn’t sleep at night.”
Mr. Musacchio could not come to see his daughter because he works from Monday to Saturday. Until recently, the cemetery was closed on Sundays and the doors are closed at 5 p.m. on weekdays.
“People who work, what do we do? We cannot leave work to see those we have lost, ”added Mr. Musacchio. “Sunday, for me, should be open all day like all other cemeteries.”
The union in negotiations since November 2019
“Without an employment contract since December 31, 2018, the union has been negotiating since November 2019. And without any valid reason, on March 17, the employer abolished 26 maintenance positions . In addition, he did not respect the employment floor of 62 regular employees who must take care of the maintenance of the cemetery. If there is therefore anyone responsible for the deterioration of this magnificent place, it is indeed at the Fabrique Notre-Dame that we must demand accountability, ”denounced Linda Tavolaro, general secretary of the Federation of service employees. public-CSN.
“Despite the announcement made on May 6, 2021 of its major green shift by virtue of which our Montreal gem would no longer need maintenance at all, looking at the place for several weeks, it is obvious that this shift is a sad farce and a catastrophe, ”replied Dominique Daigneault, President of the Central Council of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM – CSN).