Gatineau transit workers set to begin job action this morning

Commuters who take buses to or from Gatineau could be in for a fewdisruptions today, as transit employees launchwork-to-rule actions in lieu of an all-out labour stoppage.

The union representing drivers and maintenance workersat Socitde transport del'Outaouais, or STO,advised their employer earlier this week that job action wouldbegin Friday, afterthe Canada Industrial Relations Board declared that transit wasnot an essential service in Gatineau.

• No Gatineau transit strike Friday, but pressure tactics coming
• STO not an essential service, board rules, as strike looms

TheSTO is in the process of renewing a collective agreement with 485 drivers and 115 employees responsible for bus maintenance. The union has said deteriorating working conditions and scheduling are the key issues in thenegotiations.

While there could be a full strike at some point, for nowdrivers are only undertaking on-the-clockpressure tactics such asreporting any type of defect on a bus, no matter how minor.

That could lead to more buses ending up in STO garages, delaying riders' trips. Other planned job actions include drivers refusing to work overtime or special events like Winterlude, as well as wearing jeans while behind the wheel.

The job actions could begin as early as 4 a.m. Friday.