Gatineau bus drivers' union says STO suspended vice-president for 3 days

The union that oversees Gatineau bus drivers and maintenance employees is fuming after it says the Socitde transport del'Outaouais(STO) suspended its vice-president for three days without pay.

• STO driver warns riders of potential strikes during morning commute

The union theSyndicat uni du transport (SUT) said Guy Gosselinreceived a letter on Friday reproaching him, in French, for "unacceptable" behaviour that "cannot be tolerated." The letter says he had already been warned back in December.

Union president Flix Gendron said thesuspension was likely linked to an event that took place in early January.

"In early January, I had a final meeting with the employer, and employees had gone up to support me.The vice-president was there as well. They all had letters and the vice-president had another letter giving him three days' suspension, " Gendron toldRadio-Canada.

He said 20people received disciplinaryletters.

"We see very clearly that the transportation company wants to attack the union," he said.

When reached Saturday, the STO said it couldneitherconfirmnor deny the suspension.

The union and the transit agency have been at odds over protracted contract negotiations.Last week, the mediator recommended they go to arbitration, but the two sides disagreed over how that arbitration would be executed.

A meeting between the two sides and a mediator is scheduled for Wednesday.