Montreal’s crossing guards want a new collective agreement, and they’re calling on Mayor Denis Coderre to intervene and help make that happen.
Crossing guards employed by the city have been without a contract since Aug. 2011.
The problem, says the union representing the workers, stems from recent reforms in employment insurance (EI).
The crossing guards want to be paid for statutory holidays, which they say will allow them to continue collecting EI.
The reforms have made it more difficult for seasonal workers to claim EI benefits.
Union representatives say other city employees, as well as most of the crossing guards in the province are paid for the same stat holidays.
In a statement, Coderre said that negotiations with the union and a mediator are ongoing.
“We have taken note of these requests and we will make our position known at the negotiating table, as we do not want to negotiate in public,” he said.
