Montreal-area school bus drivers, who transport around 15,000 students daily, have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action after rejecting the latest offer from their employer — Autobus Transco.
The bus drivers are threatening to walk off the job next Tuesday and Wednesday — Jan. 30 and 31 — unless the employer improves its salary offer.
Currently, Transco, which is owned by American firm First Student Inc., is proposing a five-year deal with a wage freeze the first two years, followed by a wage increase at half the rate of inflation for the remainder of the contract.
The union is asking for a three-year contract with a two per cent salary increase each year.
“We are extremely disappointed that CSN has made an announcement to strike,” said First Student Inc. spokesperson Jay Brock in a statement to Global News.
“We appreciate that this will be a challenge for all who rely on our service. We know that just one day without yellow bus transportation will cause hardship on the families, students and schools that depend on us.”
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“Some companies, like this one, which is American-owned, they don’t really give a damn about us,” said Stephen Gauley, head of the bus drivers’ union.
On average, bus drivers bring home $20,000 per year.
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Union spokesperson Carole Laplante accused the employer of negotiating in bad faith.
“Even though the salaries paid to us do not recognize our skills and all the responsibilities we assume every day, the U.S. bosses of First Student, who own Transco, have no intention of improving our terms and conditions, ” she said in a written statement.
If the strike goes ahead, four school boards on the island of Montreal will be affected, including the English Montreal School Board (EMSB), the Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB), the Commission Scolaire de Montréal (CSDM), and Commission Scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys (CSMB).
The bus drivers expressed regret at causing so much inconvenience to teachers and parents, but said they feel they have no choice but to go on strike,
“Right now, nobody is listening to us,” Gauley said.
“It’s too bad for the children, but at some point, somebody has to listen and it [the strike] is the ultimate action we can take.”
School boards often use various carriers to provide transport for students, as such, so not all bus routes will be affected.
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The LBPSB has sent out an email to parents whose children are on the affected routes. It is encouraging parents to arrange for alternative modes of transportation, such as carpooling and public transit for high school-aged kids.
The school board also said daycare services will be available for students on strike days and that there would be no consequences for students who arrive late.
The bus drivers have been without a contract since last June.
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