STM Maintenance Workers' Strike Ends, But Will There Be More Disruptions?
Unions at the STM reach an agreement, ending the transit strike; however, talks of a potential future work action remain.
The week-long strike by Société de transport de Montréal (STM) maintenance employees finally came to an end on Tuesday. Here's hoping the smooth sailing continues, but let's face it, it's hard to predict when trouble might pop up again. After all, with three unions having secured a strike mandate from their respective members, there's a good chance more disruptions could be on the horizon.
What Impact Will a Mediator Have on the Negotiations?
Quebec-appointed mediator Gaston Boutin got to work with the maintenance workers' union and the employer on Monday. In typical fashion, the mediator met with both parties – the union in the morning and the employer in the afternoon, according to Bruno Jeannotte, president of the Syndicat du transport de Montréal. The parties have scheduled sessions for Wednesday and Friday, with at least two meetings per week planned for July, as per Jeannotte.
It's still early to tell how the mediator's involvement will impact the discussions. However, former STM general director Luc Tremblay pointed out that mediation had proven effective in the past. Back in 2018, mediation led to an agreement on the renewal of the collective agreement for maintenance employees.
Can Users Expect More Strikes?
Jeannotte wants to let the mediator give negotiations a helping hand, but he doesn't rule out the possibility of future strikes this summer. Besides, two other STM unions – the Syndicat des chauffeurs d'autobus et des opérateurs de métro (SCFP 1983) and the Syndicat représentant le personnel administratif (SCFP 2850) – have secured strike mandates from their members.
The president of the Syndicat des chauffeurs d'autobus et des opérateurs de métro, Frédéric Therrien, mentioned that his union hasn't gone on strike in 38 years. "Going on strike isn't enjoyable for an employee," he said, but he didn't deny the potential for a walkout if negotiations go awry. Discussions between the union and the employer are going reasonably well, with a mediator not yet necessary, according to Therrien.
The union representing administrative personnel stated that negotiations are proceeding as planned.
Marc Ranger, the former Quebec director of the Syndicat canadien de la fonction publique (SCFP), predicts that the coming months could cause concern for STM users. "This isn't a sector with a history of confrontation, but that could change," he warned. All unions might exercise their right to strike in turn by this fall, he noted.
Will Bill 89 Have an Impact on Negotiations?
The enactment, in November, of Bill 89, aimed at limiting the right to strike, could play a role in upcoming negotiations, according to Ranger. He believes that the bill should be among the unions' primary strategic concerns. "The unions are probably saying: now or never. If it drags on until November 30, the government will intervene. There's no doubt about it in my mind," he said, adding that the STM might prolong negotiations to take advantage of the new law.
In 2018, the maintenance workers' union employed other strategies to make its voice heard, including "zeal" strikes and refusing overtime, which had a significant impact on bus services, as noted by the former STM CEO, Luc Tremblay.
The Battle for Public Opinion
The strike has left many users unsatisfied, but further disruptions could harm the STM unions' reputation. Marc Ranger cautions that the favorable working conditions of STM employees may not win sympathy from the public. "There is no job precarity at the STM," he says.
When it comes to salaries, it's not uncommon to hear that members of SCFP 1983 can make up to $120,000. However, the president of the Syndicat des chauffeurs et des opérateurs de métro, Frédéric Therrien, corrects that assumption, stating that the current base salary for a bus driver is $35.64/hour.
The government's latest policy on strike action, as outlined in Bill 89, could potentially impact upcoming negotiations between STM unions and the employer.
The recent strike by STM maintenance employees has left a dent in public opinion, and further disruptions might harm the unions' reputation, especially if working conditions are perceived as favorable.
