Press release

STM settles with union representing bus drivers and métro operators (Syndicat des chauffeurs d’autobus,
opérateurs de métro et employés des services connexes)

Montreal, September 16, 2003 – The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) has reached an agreement with the Syndicat des chauffeurs, opérateurs de métro et employés des services connexes regarding the renewal of their work contract that had expired January 12, 2003. The agreement respects the fiscal parameters set out for the 2002-2006 negociations with City of Montreal employees. Indeed, the new, four-year work contract calls for increases of 0% in 2003, 2% in 2004, 2.5% in 2005, and from 2.5% to 3% in 2006, depending on the CPI, an increase in total remuneration of 8.7% Based on the five-year agreement reached with city workers (11.7%), the STM took into account the 3% increase already negociated for 2002 in the drivers’ previous labour contract.

In addition to salary increases and a guarantee against layoffs, the employees’ working conditions were slightly improved. For example, the roughly 440 fare collectors and information agents who earn $1 an hour less than fellow members will obtain parity with the drivers by 2006.

Besides signing a four-year contract (instead of three), members also agreed to other concessions that will generate savings for the STM, such as the employees’ pension fund paying for all fund management and administration fees.

Sequence of events
Negociations began in October 2002, but as the discussions were deadlocked, the two parties agreed to the help of a mediator. Mr. Jean-Pierre Gosselin was appointed on May 29, 2003, and met with each party on June 3. After the summer holidays, meetings began again on September 6, followed by intensive negociations until September 12, when the agreement in principle was reached.

Talks underway with the other unions
The STM is currently negociating with four other unions to renew collective agreements that also expired in January 2003 : the Syndicat du transport de Montréal affilié à la CSN (about 2,000 maintenance workers), the Syndicat des employés de bureau, techniciens et professionnels-SCFP (592 members), the Syndicat des employés du transport en commun-CSN (190 divisional clerks) and the Syndicat des professionnels (179 members).

A good settlement
STM management are pleased with the agreement reached with the union representing bus drivers and métro operators and are confident that collective agreements will soon be worked out with the other bargaining units.

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