Bus riders in the National Capital Region are bracing for a looming strike by supervisors at Gatineau’s transit agency that could halt service and complicate their commutes next week.
The union representing about 50 mechanic supervisors and trainers with the Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) said earlier this week that its members plan to walk off the job Monday if their demands aren’t met.
At issue are wages, which the STO says are being brought in line with what OC Transpo pays.
The STO has warned that if the supervisors walk off the job Monday, buses will stop running. In an update Friday, the transit agency said the two sides remain at an impasse, and advised transit users to make alternative plans for next week.
That concerned regular STO riders like Esmée Modderman.
“I take the bus to go to work every morning, and to come back, so I kind of need the bus,” she said as she waited at a transit stop. “I’d probably get a taxi or something, but it would be so expensive.”
Rejéanne Guay said a service disruption will be especially difficult for some users.
“If you’re middle-aged or retired, it’s not easy to walk with baggage or parcels,” she said. “If you have a car that’s fine, but if you don’t have a car you have to take the bus and it’s not easy.”
The STO says it will halt all bus service if mechanic supervisors and trainers walk off the job Monday. (Jonathan Dupaul/CBC)
Students, workers making other plans
Colleges and high schools in Gatineau have also expressed concerns on behalf of their students.
College Saint-Joseph said it would communicate with parents by Sunday to give families time to make other plans. The Western Québec School Board said a strike could affect their older students who rely on STO rather than school buses.
Federal workers who now must commute to the office at least three days a week will also have to make other arrangements.
In a statement, the Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada said employees will have to discuss arrangements “such as telework or flexible work hours” with their supervisors.
Parking in the National Capital Region will likely be at a premium if the strike goes ahead and commuters are forced to drive to work and school.
“We suggest that you arrive early and that you be patient because it’s going to be very busy,” advised Katherine Bellfoy, vice-president of operations and development with Groupe Marc Dubé, which operates around 2,000 parking spots across Gatineau.
