The Quebec Essential Services Council ordered Montreal's blue-collar workers' union and the city's administration to a joint mediation session Tuesday.
The closed-door meeting was called after the union filed a formal complaint, claiming the city is keeping workers on standby, even when there are no emergencies.
The city's blue-collar workers have been staging borough-by-borough work stoppages as a pressure tactic.
While on strike, city employees will refuse to pickup garbage or recycling, and will not clear snow unless 9 cm has fallen, however they will spread salt and abrasives on sidewalks and roads in case of freezing conditions.
5000 unionized workers have been without a contract for two years.
They're demanding wage increases and a reduction in reliance on private contractors.
Strike Schedule
- Ville-Marie: Jan. 25 & Feb. 15
- Cote des Neiges / Notre Dame de Grace: Jan. 26 & Feb. 16
- St. Laurent: Jan 27 & Feb. 17
- Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve: Jan. 28 & Feb. 18
- Plateau / Mont Royal: Jan. 29 & Feb. 19
- Outremont: Jan. 30 & Feb. 20
- Ile Bizard / Ste. Genevieve: Jan. 31 & Feb. 21
- Rosemont / La Petite Patrie: Feb. 1 & 22
- Villeray / St. Michel / Park Extension: Feb. 2 & 23
- Southwest: Feb. 3 & 24
- RDP / Pointe aux Trembles: Feb. 4 & 25
- Ahuntsic / Cartierville: Feb. 5 & 26
- Lachine: Feb. 6 & 27
- Anjou: Feb. 7 & 28
- Montreal North: Feb. 8 & Mar. 1
- LaSalle: Feb. 9 & Mar. 2
- Pierrefonds / Roxboro: Feb. 10 & Mar. 3
- St. Leonard: Feb. 11 & Mar. 4
- Verdun: Feb. 12 & Mar. 5
- Central Services: Feb. 13 & 14
- The Biodome and Insectarium will be closed on Feb. 13 & 14
