Montréal, September 29, 2019 — Workers at the Monastère d’Aylmer seniors’ home are poised to strike tomorrow morning, September 30, at 10:00 a.m. Salaries are one of the many points of contention. Despite days of bargaining and conciliation efforts in the past several months, negotiations are at a standstill.
Teamsters Local Union 106 represents the interests of some 110 women and men workers at this private-sector retirement residence. Union members are seeking a new collective agreement offering working conditions equivalent to those in other Chartwell Group establishments.
Maintaining all services to seniors during the strike
For a number of years, Teamsters’ policy has been to maintain all services to residents during a strike at any retirement home or privately owned long-term care facility (CHSLD) to limit the impact of a work stoppage on residents. Surprisingly, Monastère d’Aylmer management is opposed to this practice in this specific conflict. As a consequence, workers will launch strike action for brief periods during their shifts. This will not affect the level of care provided to residents.
“The Teamsters Union never takes residents hostage, regardless of circumstances,” said Jean Chartrand, President of Teamsters Local Union 106. “Even if this fight is important for our members and for all unionized workers in this sector, we will wage this battle while showing the utmost respect to seniors, as we always do.”
At a recent Local Union 106 meeting, 98% of members voted in favour of a strike.
The strike will begin at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, but picketing in front of the residence at 161, rue Principale in Gatineau will start only at 12:00 noon.
The employment contract between the parties expired on April 1, 2019.
Stéphane Lacroix, Director, Communications and Public Affairs for Teamsters Canada, will be available for comments and interviews as of noon on Monday.
The Teamsters Union represents the interests of nearly 40,000 men and women workers in Quebec, more than 1,000 of whom work in seniors’ residences and long-term health-care facilities. Teamsters Canada is affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which has 1.4 million members across North America.
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For information :
Stéphane Lacroix, Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Mobile : 514 609-5101
[email protected]
