Laval, April 11, 2023 – Drivers from five bargaining units affiliated with Teamsters Local Union 106, employed by Autobus Campeau, will walk off the job as of April 17.
“School bus drivers are responsible for the safety of our most precious cargo: our children. And they carry out this important work under often difficult conditions. Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to matter to Autobus Campeau. After several months of negotiations, the company simply refuses to compromise, offer fair wage increases, or agree to reasonably long work contracts. Our members have therefore voted, as a last resort, to make their voices heard by going on strike,” explained François Laporte, president of Teamsters Canada.
Autobus Campeau’s lack of willingness and refusal to negotiate will deprive thousands of students of school bus service in the Laurentians and Outaouais.
The strikes affect:
- 10 drivers working for the schools in the Argenteuil under the Centre de services scolaires Rivière-du-Nord;
- 19 drivers working for the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board and schools in Lachute, Arundel and Morin-Heights;
- 20 drivers working for the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board and the English schools in Lachute;
- 10 drivers working for the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board and the schools in Lachute and Morin-Heights;
- 10 drivers working for the Séminaire Sacré-Coeur high school located in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge.
Teamsters Canada would like to remind that the 10 drivers working for the Séminaire du Sacré-Coeur high school were locked out on Monday, April 10, one week before the strike began.
“For us, this appears to be retaliation,” said Jean Chartrand, president of Teamsters Local Union 106. “They took advantage of the fact that the school was closed this week to lock-out our members one week before the start of their strike, which saves Autobus Campeau from having to pay them for that week. And people wonder why there’s a labour shortage in school bussing.”
Although the April 17 date is approaching and the employer seems to want a confrontation, Teamsters Canada will make every effort to reach a negotiated agreement favourable to workers.
With over 125,000 members, Teamsters Canada is the country’s largest transportation and supply chain union. The organization represents workers at CP, CN, UPS, Purolator, countless trucking companies, and more. They are affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents over 1.2 million workers in North America.
-30-
Marc-André Gauthier
Director of Communications, Teamsters Canada
Cell : 514-206-0492 | [email protected]
