Members of the union representing employees of Autobus Idéal, Syndicat des travailleuses et travailleurs des (STTAI–CSN), are on strike starting Tuesday until April 28.
On March 11, the union adopted a pressure tactics mandate that could go as far as strike, which has officially begun.
Jean-Michelle Szosta is one of the bus drivers on strike.
He said that the negotiations are advancing at a snail’s pace but wants the issues resolved soon.
“We’re striking to get a pay salary that is equivalent to what other transporters on the island and in the area around us have presently,” he said. “We’re asking our employer to basically respect the job that we have and to meet us where all the other companies have an equal playing field as far as basic salary.”
The STTAI-CSN has nearly 165 members who haven’t had an employment contract since June 30, 2023.
Nearly 10,000 students will be affected by the strike including those in the Centre de service scolaire de Montreal, Pointe-de-l’Île and Laval.
The Fédération des employées et employés de services publics (FEESP-CSN) has more than 425 affiliated unions representing 65,000 public and parapublic services members.
“The timeline is basically up to the employer,” concluded Szosta.