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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.