Laval bus drivers will leave work from December 18 to 19

The union’s resumption of the pressure tactic means the city will have no bus service the weekend before Christmas.

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Users of the bus service provided by the Société de transport de Laval (STL) will see that service reduced to zero next weekend, from December 18 to 19, when the drivers resume strikes with the aim of reaching an agreement about a new contract.

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While the union is required to provide essential service during peak hours and late into the night Monday through Friday, no such condition is required on weekends.

In a statement issued on Friday, the STL’s Syndicat des chauffeurs said that an agreement had not been reached with the administration and accused the transit authority of failing to make the necessary efforts to guarantee adequate public transport for the municipality.

Union president Patrick Lafleur said that given the current rate of inflation, salary offers made to members would actually leave them poorer. The union also accused the management of being closed to any lawsuits despite having made concessions during negotiations.

The question of keeping bus routes running when there is not enough demand is also on the table.

Last January, union members voted 99 percent in favor of a strike mandate.

The STL maintains that the offers it has made to the union are comparable to those agreed to by other unions in the transit authority.