The Notre-Dame-des-Neiges cemetery must reopen its doors to allow families to gather with their deceased, the employees of the site claimed on Saturday during a demonstration.
Negotiations for the renewal of their employment contract being difficult, the Union of office employees of the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery (SEEBCNDDN-CSN) and the Union of workers of the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges cemetery -Neiges (STTCNDDN–CSN) have been on strike since September 20, 2022 and January 12, 2023 respectively.
However, access to the site was closed before the triggering of these means of pressure. “Even before the start of our strike, senior management had decided to close access to the cemetery to families and their loved ones, which causes them a lot of frustration and anger. The doors must open, and this, as quickly as possible,” declared Éric Dufault, president of the SEEBCNDDN–CSN.
“Our employer doesn’t care about families at all. We know this because every day, we meet them on our picket line and we talk with them about the contempt they are currently experiencing, added Patrick Chartrand, President of the STTCNDDN–CSN. We have always supported the families in their difficult times and now they are taking the proper measure of the unacceptable attitude of the leaders of the Notre-Dame Factory.
Without a contract for more than four years, negotiations with the two unions have stalled. Cemetery employees are asking, among other things, for a lower level of employment and better wages.