Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery to reopen March 31, as negotiations with unions continue
After an extended closure, Montreal's Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery will reopen on March 31.
The cemetery said it wants to reach an agreement with its union workers as soon as possible, so it can resume all services.
"The change in spring weather should accelerate the melting of the snow and allow access to several areas of the cemetery to accommodate family members of the deceased through some open roads, although many other roads will be impassable and some sections will be inaccessible for a few additional days," the Fabrique de la paroisse Notre-Dame de Montreal said in a news release.
A schedule of the cemetery's opening hours will be posted on March 30.
Family members who wish to visit their loved ones' grave sites can enter at the cemetery's main entrance on Cote-des-Neiges Road where staff will give instructions about speed limits, safety rules and areas that remain inaccessible.
The cemetery said mausoleum burials and cremations will remain the top priority, and field burials will only resume once an agreement is reached with the operations union or the union's strike ends.
The cemetery's office workers union (SEECNDDN-CSN) has been on strike since Sept. 20.
In November, more unionized cemetery workers (STTCNDDN–CSN) voted in favour of a general unlimited strike, citing degenerating working conditions.
The 125 members in that union have been without a contract for four years.
Cemetery workers are shown outside Notre-dame-des-Neiges Cemetery in Montreal, Sunday, May 9, 2021, where they are protesting the abolishment of 26 seasonal jobs resulting in poor maintenance and upkeep at the graveyard. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
The cemetery said regular operations and maintenance employees were paid more than many of those in the health, education, and public safety sectors (around $70,000 per year or $45 per hour).
"In January 2023, the cemetery tabled an offer to increase wages and overall compensation by more than 15 per cent by January 1, 2026, including a $3,500 signing bonus for regular employees," the cemetery said. "This offer would represent $52 per hour in wages and benefits for regular operations and maintenance employees. The cemetery remains available to continue negotiations with representatives of each union to reach an agreement as soon as possible."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.