Laval, September 22, 2022 – The Teamsters Union has negotiated an historic and spectacular wage increase – over 33% in the first year of a new collective agreement – for the drivers of the GD Paquette school bus company!
Minimum increases of 1%, or an amount reflecting the consumer price index, are planned for the remaining five years of the contract. This contract was negotiated by Sister Sylvie Duval of Teamsters Local Union 106.
“This contract will have a positive and profound impact on the lives of our members and their families,” said Teamsters Canada President François Laporte. “The drivers deserved better conditions.”
The contract is expected to have a ripple effect on all other collective agreements in the industry, especially since Teamsters and its members will be negotiating with 20 school bus operators this fall.
Inflation and labour shortages in this industry – which the Teamsters have been talking about for years – are currently favouring workers.
“The school bus industry has been in a very fragile state for the past few years,” notes Jean Chartrand, president of Teamsters Local Union 106. “The retention bonuses that the government pays to drivers are no longer enough. Our members want proper wage increases.”
The Teamsters represent the interests of more than 1,000 employees in the school bus industry in Quebec. On average, drivers make $25,000 a year.
“It is high time that the men and women who safely transport our children be treated like the professionals they are,” concludes François Laporte, President, Teamsters Canada. “But beware! Our work as trade unionists does not end with this victory at GD Paquette. We still have a lot of work to do with our other carriers.”
The battle has only just begun.
Teamsters Canada represents the interests of 125,000 workers in Canada and is affiliated with the 1.2 million-strong International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
