Deal Comes After ATU International President John Costa Visits Picket Line
GATINEAU, QC — After a historic one-day strike and months of fruitless contract talks, STO transit workers, represented by Amalgamated Transit Union/Syndicat Uni Du Transport (ATU/STU) Local 1557-Gatineau, QC, have reached a strong tentative agreement that meets the workers’ demands. The deal comes after ATU/SUT International President John Costa came to show the International’s support for the STO workers by visiting the strike, the first by Local 1557 at STO.
“Our members made history by walking off the job and they won. This has been a long fight since 2023, but we have negotiated a tentative agreement that we can present to the members of our union and recommend a ‘yes’ vote,” said Local 1557 President Olivier Lachance. “This is a contract that not only meets our members’ needs but is good for our riders and the community.”
The Union will be conducting a ratification vote of the tentative agreement by the entire membership in the coming days. The STO Board will also need to vote to ratify the agreement.
“It was an honour to walk the picket lines with our STO workers. I’m extremely proud of the strength, unity, and solidarity they showed in their campaign to get this contract,” said ATU International President John Costa. “With job protections, wage increases, and other improvements, this is a hard-fought agreement that meets the moment. This is a win for our members and for our riders. Now that our Local secured a strong tentative agreement, we celebrate this win for not only them, but for transit workers everywhere.”
The Union will be working with STO management to get service back on the street as quickly as possible.