On the morning of January 24, a number of drivers working for Transporteur Ro-Bus protested in front of their employer’s school bus warehouse on Ford Boulevard in Châteauguay on their first strike day.
Translation Amada Bennett
Many of the workers gathered in front of their work site to express, among other things, their dissatisfaction with their “inadequate” pay and the employer’s “lack of respect” for their collective agreement.
All of them are seeking a more adequate and competitive hourly wage, as well as payment on the basis of the hours they have “actually worked.” Seniority should also be a priority when it comes to filling vacancies, they said.
When there are vacancies during the school year, the employer posts them externally instead of internally,” said Jonathan Blais, union spokesperson for Unifor Québec. That has to change.”
Drivers
Anton Julian Pancu, a school bus driver for Ro-Bus for 10 years, said he has never had a significant pay rise over the years.
“When I started in 2014, I was paid $13.65 an hour,” he said. “Now I’m at $17.06. That’s not even $4 more in 10 years. It’s completely ridiculous.”
Maryse Lussier, a driver with 3 years’ experience with the company, said that her current pay was not enough to support her family.
“I work 29 hours a week for $17.06 an hour, “she said. “With the high cost of living, I have to take money out of my savings. I’d like to get $26.50 an hour.”
Parents
Because of the strike, several children on the Ro-Bus service had to be driven to school this morning by their parents.
“I was able to take my children to school,” said Caroline Bourgeois, a local citizen, in an interview with Gravité Média. “If the strike lasts for several days, it’s going to be more complicated, especially when I have to pick up my children around 3:15 p.m. I’ll be able to juggle my hours. Not many people finish at that time.”
The same goes for David Bertrand, another citizen, who has to travel to Montreal for work. “It’s definitely going to add a little stress when I have to pick up my daughter at the end of the day,” he said.