Nearly three weeks after the start of their strike, the union members of the Novabus manufacturing company in Saint-François-du-Lac have just voted against the employer’s offer by a vote of 99%. The strike continues.
Some 300 workers, members of a local section of the Unifor union, affiliated with the FTQ, had launched an indefinite strike on June 3.
The union reports that its members are still unhappy with the proposed wage increases. He argues that compared to the industry as a whole, compensation is lagging behind.
Members compare themselves to similar industries and job categories and expect more growth or catch-up. And it’s true that if we compare ourselves, the people in the factory should have morecommented Jean-Rod Morin, national representative of Unifor responsible for the file.
Novabus management, meanwhile, says to regret this result, since it considered that it had presented a very reasonable, responsible and competitive salary offer in relation to the job market in the industry.
However, the negotiations are not broken between the parties; a conciliation meeting took place on Wednesday afternoon. Novabus management hoped to receive a union counter-proposal shortly.
The agreement expired on February 16.
Workers at the Saint-François-du-Lac plant, in the RCM of Nicolet-Yamaska, manufacture the chassis of the buses and install the floors.
Novabus is part of the Volvo Group.
Source: Radio-Canada
