Latest news with #BrunoJeannotte
CBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CBC
STM maintenance workers say they might strike again if negotiations don't speed up
Maintenance workers with the Société de Transport de Montréal (STM) are accusing the public transit operator of dragging its feet at the negotiation table and are warning of another strike in the fall, if talks don't progress faster. Bruno Jeannotte, the president of the union representing the workers, says despite nine meetings with a Quebec-appointed mediator, the STM still hasn't presented its list of priorities. Alongside some of the 2,400 workers represented by the union, Jeannottte held a demonstration outside the STM's maintenance centre on St-Laurent Boulevard, Thursday afternoon. "If there's no change, the status quo remains until August, well you should effectively expect that we'll send strike notices to the labour tribunal," he said. The workers already went on strike for six days in June, during Grand Prix weekend, as negotiations around their collective agreement, which expired in January, reached a standstill. Quebec's labour minister named a mediator three days into the strike. Major sticking points for the union include work schedules and the STM's reliance on subcontracting. "We want to protect everything that's done internally right now. Even if it doesn't go as smoothly as we'd like, one thing is certain: When it's done internally, we have full control," said Jeannotte. Workers are also asking for a 25 per cent wage increase over five years. The STM has instead offered them an 11 per cent bump over the same period of time. Philippe Jacques, the co-executive director and spokesperson for Trajectoire Québec, a public transit advocacy group, said he struggles to understand why there's talks of another strike given the involvement of a mediator. The interruption of service in June had major impacts, and he says he's worried about the possibility of commuters going through a similar situation again. "The essential service that was offered was clearly insufficient," he said. "We had a lot of people tell us they missed work at their own expense, they missed doctor's appointments." The STM for its part says it's trusting the negotiation process and keeping course with a calendar set by the mediator. In an emailed statement, it said it considered talks are on the right track, especially since the mediator got involved. According to its CEO Marie-Claude Léonard, the STM's priorities are "very clear." She said the STM needs flexibility in its schedules due to its 24/7 operations and clauses ensuring "the right person at the right place at the right time." "We must ensure that we manage public funds responsibly. I cannot continue to increase charges, always adding more charges without having a return for my client," she said, referring to STM users. She said she could not elaborate on the substance of the discussions so far, given the mediator asked the negotiations remain confidential. Meetings have been happening at a rate of two to three times per week ever since the end of the worker's strike in June, the STM said in a statement.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Frustrated by stalled talks, STM maintenance workers consider strike action
Bruno Jeannotte, president of the Montreal Transit Union, addresses journalists to denounce the lack of progress in negotiations between the STM and its maintenance employees during a demonstration held on Thursday, Jul 17, 2025. (The Canadian Press/Pierre Saint-Arnaud) Hot dogs, hamburgers, signs, flags, horns and whistles were on the menu outside the Youville workshops where the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) services and repairs its buses, as about 100 maintenance workers staged a protest Thursday afternoon over stalled contract talks. According to Bruno Jeannotte, president of the Syndicat du transport de Montréal, which represents about 2,400 STM maintenance workers, the slow pace of negotiations could lead to stronger pressure tactics. In an interview with The Canadian Press, Jeannotte expressed frustration with the employer's failure to table its bargaining priorities, despite nine days of mediated talks since the end of the last strike in mid-June. 'Our perception is that the employer is stalling at the bargaining table,' he said. 'Instead of identifying its priorities — which should have happened on day one or two of mediation — they're asking us for clarifications on various articles, which in the end might not even make it into their priority list. So we're really at a standstill right now.' Waiting on Bill 89? Jeannotte suspects the STM may be dragging its feet in hopes the Quebec government will rush through Bill 89, legislation titled An Act to Better Consider the Needs of the Population in the Event of a Strike or Lockout. 'We know the labour minister, Jean Boulet, is hinting that bills like Bill 89 could be fast-tracked. Is the employer leaning on the minister, thinking it will get government backing, and so sees no benefit to negotiating right now? I can't explain why the STM still hasn't presented its priorities.' Bill 89 would limit strikes and expand the definition of essential services in Quebec. It also gives the labour minister new powers to intervene in labour disputes, including the ability to impose arbitration to end strikes or lockouts in certain cases. Pressure tactics or a breakthrough Maintenance workers already walked off the job from June 9 to 17. If bargaining remains stalled, Jeannotte warned the union may have to repeat that strategy. 'Will we be forced to strike again to really make an impact, to put pressure on the STM? We don't want it to come to that. But after nine full negotiating sessions without any priorities being tabled, we're concerned. If we can't reach an agreement in July or August, there will be pressure tactics come September.' Salaries and outsourcing are at the heart of the dispute. On wages, management is offering an 11 per cent raise over five years — less than half of the union's demand of 25 per cent. Outsourcing poses additional complications. The STM has said that due to chronic underfunding from Quebec, it is considering no longer doing certain maintenance work in-house, particularly in construction. But the union argues that outsourcing will cost more in the long run than using its own workers — assuming they stay. 'In the past, we were still ahead of the construction sector,' Jeannotte said. 'Now when we look at outside job postings, construction wages and conditions have improved. We need electricians, masons and bricklayers who work in the Metro at night. But the competition offers daytime work, weekends off, and overtime pay for weekend and night work. Meanwhile, the STM wants workers on regular pay for days, evenings, nights and weekends. That doesn't attract people.' Thirteen years of night shifts The Canadian Press spoke to one employee, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of employer retaliation, who works as a track maintenance worker in the Metro . His reality echoed Jeannotte's comments when asked why he was protesting under the sweltering sun. 'It's mostly about work-life balance,' he said. 'I've been with the STM for 13 years, working nights as a track maintenance worker, and I still don't see the day when I'll have a daytime position.' The collective agreement expired Jan. 1, but negotiations began in March 2024. Mediation has been ongoing since the end of the strike on June 17. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on July 17, 2025.
Global News
14-06-2025
- Global News
Formula 1 race parks city-wide transit strike in Montreal
A sweeping city-wide transit strike has been temporarily halted for Montreal's Formula One Grand Prix, as hundreds of thousands of tourists flood the city for the weekend event. Maintenance workers with Montreal's public transit agency (STM) launched a strike on Monday, disrupting service across the city after more than a year of stalled contract negotiations. About 2,400 mechanics walked off the job, reducing bus and metro service to just 50 per cent — operating only during morning and evening rush hours, as well as late at night. However, full service resumed Friday and will continue through Sunday to accommodate the Canadian Grand Prix weekend. The temporary pause in the strike was mandated to handle the surge in transit demand during the major international event. 1:56 Montreal officials say they've left no stone unturned to prepare for Grand Prix after last year's scandal Reduced service will resume on Monday and continue until the strike officially ends on June 17. The first mediation session between the STM and unionized workers is also set for Monday. Story continues below advertisement The union says negotiations have stalled on such things as the use of subcontracting and on scheduling, especially around night shifts. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The head of the maintenance workers' union has warned that the strike could escalate if a deal isn't reached. Bruno Jeannotte, the president of the maintenance workers' union, told reporters that the assigned mediator is slated to meet separately with both sides to get familiar with each party's position. Transit service resumed normal schedules Friday as part of the three-day reprieve with full-day, regular-frequency metro and bus service running through Sunday. The temporary return to normal operations was authorized by Quebec's labour tribunal, the Tribunal administratif du travail, which approved the measure to handle the expected surge in ridership for the event.
Montreal Gazette
13-06-2025
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
STM returns to full service for Grand Prix weekend
A three-day reprieve from reduced transit service began Friday, with métro and buses returning to their regular schedules despite the STM maintenance workers' strike. The full-day, regular-frequency service will last until Sunday, coinciding with Grand Prix weekend. It is part of the strike plan approved by the Tribunal administratif du travail, Quebec's labour tribunal, which deemed the reprieve necessary to accommodate the influx of transit riders attending the event. Transit service will return to 50 per cent frequency outside peak hours Monday and Tuesday, the last days of the nine-day strike. The STM and union are set to meet with the newly appointed mediator Friday. Both sides and the mediator plan to return to the bargaining table Monday. The union and employer remain far apart on key issues, union president Bruno Jeannotte said Thursday, including on the STM's proposal to use subcontractors.
CTV News
12-06-2025
- CTV News
First mediation session to begin Monday in Montreal public transit strike
Morning commuters walk past a city bus before the restricted hours where Metro and buses discontinue service due to the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) maintenance workers strike in Montreal on Monday, June 9, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi) The first mediation session between Montreal's public transit authority and its striking maintenance workers is scheduled to begin on Monday. About 2,400 maintenance workers have been on strike for four days after more than a year of negotiating. Bus and Metro service has been reduced to 50 per cent but is expected to return to normal for the Canadian Grand Prix weekend. Bruno Jeannotte, the president of the maintenance workers' union, told reporters that the assigned mediator is slated to meet separately with both sides to get familiar with each party's position. READ MORE: STM maintenance workers are officially on strike The strike is scheduled to end on June 17, but Jeannotte has said the union is prepared to escalate if a deal isn't reached. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 12, 2025.
