Quebec’s administrative labour tribunal has ruled a surprise strike on Thursday by Montreal’s public transit authority maintenance workers was illegal.
The tribunal held a late meeting on Thursday after about 500 employees with the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) suddenly walked off the job for 90 minutes earlier in the day.
READ MORE: STM wants injunction to prevent maintenance workers from striking
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In his decision, Judge Guy Blanchet wrote that since the right to strike was not acquired by the union representing maintenance workers, the public had a right to regular public transit service.
As a result, he is ordering STM maintenance workers to end all illegal pressure tactics. They must also work their scheduled hours.
READ MORE: STM maintenance workers take to the streets over forced overtime
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The union said on Thursday, it didn’t call for workers to strike. It said employees were upset with comments made by the public transit authority’s director general during a televised interview with TVA.
Maintenance workers and management have been at the bargaining table since last year. Some 2,400 maintenance staff have been without a collective agreement since Jan. 6.
The main sticking points are forced overtime and scheduling.
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