The Intercar division that operates on the North Shore has been sold to an American company, First Studenta service known in the province as Autobus Transco, which specializes in school transportation.
On the North Shore, it is the intercity transport link that is bought, as well as the rental of coaches which is done, for example, with the Drakkar.
The regional manager for Autobus Transco, Laurie Henner, maintains that the working conditions of bus drivers will remain the same. She argues that their salaries and hours will not be affected and that they will remain unionized.
The employees were of course very attached to their former employer and we are really very aware of that.
she says. That’s why today, we are in the premises of Intercar to reassure everyone: there will be absolutely no change.
Autobus Transco ensures that the experience of users should not be impoverished either and that the service will continue to provide the link between Quebec, Baie-Comeau, Sept-Îles and Havre-Saint-Pierre.
” We will continue the service for passengers, [et on] will see how we can improve their experience and add value to the experience they have today. »
Hugo Gilbert, president of Groupe Intercar, insists that the Saguenéenne company Intercar will not, however, sell its assets in Saguenay (archives).
Photo: Intercar Group
Intercar president Hugo Gilbert argues that it was the financial impact of the pandemic and the labor shortage that prompted the Saguenéenne company to sell its Quebec City division to the American player, which mainly includes transportation. school.
You know, this link is one with a lot of kilometers, which still requires a lot of operating costs,
he advances. Then the relaunch for us we won’t hide it, we talked about it several times, it was difficult, and therefore to arrive with a new buyer who has a solid back.
The union is waiting, to see
Unifor, the union that represents bus drivers on the North Shore, wants to sit down with its members’ new employer to see how the transaction from Intercar bus service to Autobus Transco will play out for employees.
Unifor’s national representative for bus drivers who provide the link between Quebec and Baie-Comeau, Martin Lambert, explains that negotiations for the renewal of the collective agreement for its members began a few weeks ago. He hopes that these negotiations can continue with the new employer.
” A change of ownership is a little worrying… There is always a certain uncertainty that sets in among the workers. »
Fortunately, we still have laws in Quebec that protect, to a certain extent, both the collective agreement and certification. So the buyer can’t get rid of the syndicate tomorrow morning.
An essential service for the region
The Côte-Nord cannot afford to have a reduction in bus service in the region, according to the mayor of Sept-Îles, Steve Beaupré.
Mr. Beaupré hopes that the American player will maintain the current service, which he considers essential.
The population, both on the North Shore and in Sept-Îles, cannot do without this service,
he throws. A service which, in my opinion, I repeat, is an essential service to ensure the movement of people who need it, who do not have personal vehicles, or who, quite simply, choose not to have cars or driver’s license.
The mayor of Sept-Îles, Steeve Beaupré, and councilor Guylaine Lejeune during a meeting of the municipal council
Photo: Radio-Canada / Djavan Habel-Thurton
The discourse is essentially the same on the side of Baie-Comeau.
Without giving further comments, the City of Baie-Comeau hopes that the service will be maintained and even hopes that it will be improved in the region.
With information from Zoe Bellehumeur
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca