End of strike by maintenance workers
The STM reaches an agreement with le Syndicat du transport de Montreal

Montreal, November 23, 2003 –  The chairman of the board of directors, Mr. Claude Dauphin, is pleased with the restoration of transit service thanks to an agreement reached with the union representing the maintenance workers, the Syndicat du transport de Montréal - CSN. Hence, as of 3 p.m., normal métro service resumed, joining busses already on the road according to normal Sunday schedule.

An agreement which respects the STM's negotiation parameters
The agreement respects the negotiation parameters – total wage increases of 8,7% over the next four years -  with which the STM reached an agreement earlier with union representing bus drivers and métro operators (Syndicat des chauffeurs d’autobus, op�rateurs de métro et employ�s des services connexes au transport de la STM), and with administrative personnel (Syndicat du personnel administratif, technique et professionnel du transport en commun). Various changes were made to the collective agreement in order to provide, among other things, a revision of the job allocation system and work organization in transportation centres. No increase of pension plan was granted. However, the union and the STM will have an equal number of voting representatives on the pension plan’s Board of administrators, except for important issues like: selection of the actuary, decisions concerning the investing policy, and hiring of administrators, where the STM retains the casting vote.

A particularly hard week
Claude Dauphin admits that the past week was particularly difficult. He regrets the inconveniences customers had to endure and reminded that the STM is currently studying compensation scenarios for transit users, and should announce its decision in the coming days. He also underlined the enormous work that has been done by the management and employees to provide service under the circumstances. He also insisted to thank again conciliator, Ms. Suzanne Therrien, for her excellent work.

Public transit: an essential service
To conclude, Claude Dauphin reminded how important public transit can be for an important city like Montréal. He intends to ask Government of Québec to officially recognize public transit as an essential service.