Transport Workers Union vote for strike mandate

Union could hit the brakes with a strike on public transit in Gatineau

A public transit strike is looming in West Quebec. On December 11, members of Outaouais’ Syndicat uni du transport local 591, employed by the Société de Transport de l’Outaouais (STO), voted 98% in favour of a strike mandate. The union must issue a 72-hour strike notice before triggering the strike.

The union is composed of 557 members with 414 voting members; 405 voted for the strike, 7 against and 2 abstained. The strike mandate is valid for 60 days. The union argues that drivers’ and maintenance staff’s working conditions have greatly deteriorated. Drivers’ schedules are the main sticking point.

The STO and the union have been at a standstill for months in negotiating a new collective agreement. The previous agreement expired on December 31, 2014. In an attempt to break the deadlock, the federal government appointed the mediator Michel Bibeau this past September, but he has so far been unable to resolve the labour dispute.

Following the vote, the STO issued a press release looking to reassure their customers. The STO indicated that negotiations are still ongoing and that the strike mandate does not necessarily mean drivers will use it. The public transit company indicates that this is all part of a normal negotiating process. The strike mandate can prove to be a useful negotiating tool for the union’s bargaining committee.

On the other side of the table, the STO stated that the administration is looking to argue before the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) that public transit is an essential service. This would allow the STO to avoid a strike. Hearings for both parties are scheduled in mid-December.

The public transit company added that they will not tolerate any pressure tactics from staff. Most drivers have already been wearing fluorescent t-shirts with text indicating that their working conditions are deteriorating.