The Mayor of Quebec deplores the “chaos” caused by the RTC drivers’ strike, which deprives users of a service he considers “essential”, and indicates that he will demand special laws in the coming days , if no agreement is reached before the Festival d’été de Québec (FEQ).
• Also read: RTC strike: Summer festival takes stock on Tuesday
• Also read: Public transport in Quebec: RTC drivers officially strike
“It’s surreal today, in 2023, that we don’t have a minimum public transport system,” Bruno Marchand said in a press conference on Monday. “No essential service, it’s messy!”
The next few days will be crucial as the FEQ opens on Thursday, bringing tens of thousands of people downtown.
“If we don’t get along quickly, for the summer festival and for all users, […] When we meet again it will be a direct request to the government. There have to be essential services, it’s inevitable,” he thundered. “This requires a special law.”
The mayor continues to hope for an agreement. The stumbling block is the question of salary, said the President of the RTC, Maude Mercier Larouche, who did not want to discuss the requests and offers publicly. But if the union sticks to its positions, no agreement will be possible, advises Bruno Marchand. The union’s wage demands are too high and do not reflect taxpayers’ ability to pay, he said.
Ms Mercier Larouche complained that many people are currently “poor” without public transport. Many are unable to travel to get medication, care for a loved one, go to doctor’s appointments, work at a daycare, grocery store or day camp, she said.
No special law in sight
No offense to Mayor Marchand, as recently as Monday morning the office of Labor Minister Jean Boulet reported that “negotiations” between the drivers and management of the RTC are ongoing.
A special law “is not yet part of the plans” of the Quebec government, confirmed Minister Maude Méthot-Faniel’s spokeswoman.
Jonatan Julien, the minister in charge of the Capitale-Nationale region, was careful not to say whether the RTC was an essential service.
“Currently there are negotiations and there are two parties that have to agree. And obviously, public transport is an important service for many of Quebec’s citizens,” he said.
According to him, “It is certain that an agreement should be reached as soon as possible.” Because yes, there is the summer festival, but there is also the rest of the daily life of Quebecers.
Union mobilization
In addition, although negotiations are set to resume on Tuesday, the drivers’ union plans a series of mobilization actions throughout the week of July 3rd.
At least that’s what we can read in an internal union document obtained by the Journal. The RTC drivers have been on strike since Saturday 1st July and their strike notice is valid from 1st to 16th July.
A “solidarity BBQ” is planned for tomorrow, Tuesday, in front of the RTC headquarters on rue des Rocailles in Lebourgneuf. A “celebratory get-together” is planned at lunchtime on Wednesday at the same location.
On Thursday there is a performance at Parc Victoria, the usual departure point for FEQ special buses. Another demonstration is planned for Friday on Rue des Rocailles. On Saturday, a “monster demonstration” must start from the Grand Théâtre, pass in front of the Hôtel de Ville de Québec and end at Place D’Youville.
Despite these mobilization measures, the trade union party reiterates that its aim is to reach a negotiated agreement with the employer as soon as possible.
The concept of essential services
– Before 2019, it was the Quebec government that could, by decree, order the maintenance of essential services in the event of a strike.
– Due to a change in the law passed in 2019, the decision now lies with the Administrative Labor Court (TAT).
– On June 9, 2023, the TAT ruled that “there is no evidence in the current situation.” [du RTC]that a strike could endanger public health or safety.”
– In the same decision, the TAT reiterates that ‘the ‘limit’ of 350,000 inhabitants of municipalities where public transport services were previously subject to the maintenance of essential services does not constitute a criterion for subjection, although it has often been stated ‘as such’.
–In collaboration with Nicolas Lachance, Parliament Office and TVA Nouvelles
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