Just three months after starting talks in March, the Rouli-Bus bargaining team successfully secured a first tentative agreement. Now ratified by a majority of the membership, the agreement will greatly improve working conditions for the employees of this community-based paratransit company in Victoriaville. PSAC-Quebec is proud to represent them.
“Most of this local’s members had never worked in a unionized environment before. So it wasn’t obvious for them to take part in bargaining and demand better working conditions. The team did a great job!” said Manon Ouellet, a union rep at PSAC-Quebec.
“The work these members do in their community is vital and commendable. It’s totally in line with our values of accessibility and fairness. We’re proud of the work they do and happy to represent them,” added Yvon Barrière, Regional Executive Vice-President of PSAC-Quebec.
Here are the highlights of the agreement.
Non-monetary clauses
- Clear provisions on the job posting and hiring processes
- Clear provisions on seniority and probation
- Provisions allowing union representatives to conduct union business and represent members during working hours
- Provisions allowing members to be active in the union during working hours
- Clear provisions regarding disciplinary action
- Establishment of a Labour Relations Committee
- A grievance and arbitration process
- A clause on contracting out
- A provision allowing bereavement leave to be used at the time of the death or funeral (or other ceremonies), or to be split between the two.
Monetary clauses
- Leave for legal business without loss of pay
- 5 paid sick days per year
- Better vacation conditions: fewer years of seniority required to accumulate vacation time, as well as the addition of a 4th week after 4 years and a 5th week after 11 years of seniority.
Salary increases
- July 27, 2022: 15%
- July 27, 2023: 3%
- July 27, 2024: 3%