The 16 striking workers affiliated with the Local 106 of the Teamsters Union at Autobus Rive-Sud (Sogesco), in Sainte-Julie, have just accepted the latest employer offer at 94%, thus bringing the strike to an end.
The 4-year agreement provides, upon signature, a significant wage increase, as well as indexation for the coming years.
School transportation in the region will thus resume Monday, June 5, putting an end to the disruptions that affected the students of the Centre de services scolaires des Patriotes in and around Ste-Julie, St-Amable, Beloeil, St-Bruno, and Boucherville, as well as private schools Collège Charles-Lemoyne, Collège Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, Collège St-Paul, and Collège Trinité, since last April 24.
For François Laporte, President of Teamsters Canada, this resolution demonstrates the power of solidarity: “The strike at Autobus Rive-Sud was long, but the bus drivers never gave up. They showed solidarity until the end, and the employer had no choice but to sit down with us and come up with a wage offer that will allow our members to practice their profession with dignity.”
Sylvie Duval, union representative at the Local Section 106 of the Teamsters Union, in charge of negotiations, sees in this resolution an example to follow for carriers dealing with strikes elsewhere in Quebec: “There are still more than 350 bus drivers affiliated with the Teamsters Union who are on strike in Quebec. I am hopeful that this settlement will demonstrate to carriers that it is possible to reach an agreement when one takes the time to sit down and discuss in good faith.”
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.
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Marc-André Gauthier
Director of Communications, Teamsters Canada
Cell : 514-206-0492 | [email protected]
