STM head scolds union for vandalism, intimidation as maintenance workers rev up for overtime strike

The executive director of Montreal'spublic transit agency used a Wednesday news conference to chastize union members for breaking windows and other unsavourytactics in the past few weeks as they prepare to refuse to work overtime.

"Some things we won't tolerate," Luc Tremblay said, repeating twice thatvandalism and intimidation are unacceptable union pressure tactics in 2018.

He said he wasn't against pressure tactics outright, butthat the acts of vandalism and intimidation witnessed over the past few weeks are unacceptable.

The STM is currently negotiating with four of its six unionswhich saw their contracts expire in January.

• STM maintenance workers vote in favour of strike mandate

The transit agency's goal is to update its collective agreements to reflectcurrent labour needs as its network expands.

Tremblay said pay and benefits were not sticking pointsin the negotiations.

As he spoke, maintenance workers gathered Place Bonaventure, where the news conference was taking place, waving signs that read,"Strike soon."

Tremblay said the strike, set for May 7 to 12, will have a minimal impact on the public as it will only affect overtime hours.

Still, that could mean a productivity drop of10 to 15 per cent productivity, as maintenance workers typically work a lot of overtime.

The maintenance workers union was responsible for the last two transit strikes in Montreal in 2003 and 2007.

The 2007 strike ended just before a deadline imposed by the province, which was set to adopt back-to-work legislation.

In both cases, transit users were compensated by the STM.