Dozens of Gatineau bus routes cancelled as labour dispute continues

More than 70Socitde transport del'Outaouais (STO) bus trips were cancelled Wednesday morning as pressure tactics by drivers and maintenance workerscontinue in Gatineau, Que.

Routes 22, 25, 33, 35, 38, 40, 44, 60, 63, 64 and 70 were affected as of about 6:30 a.m. Consult the STO website for further cancellation information.

The union representing485 drivers and 115 maintenance workerssaid Friday that it would use pressure tactics for now, rather than invoke its strike mandate, over rocky negotiations to renew a collective agreement.

• STO not an essential service, board rules as strike looms
• Talks to resume between STO, Gatineau transit workers

Several trips were cancelled Tuesday, and on Monday, 14 trips were cancelled during rush hour, including on the Rapibus line. The STO also said there were delays of six to seven minutes.

While there could still be a strike at some point, STO employees are only undertaking on-the-job pressure tactics for now such as refusing to work overtime and special events, like Winterlude,andsending buses to the garage for any defect, no matter how seemingly minor.

The union has said deteriorating working conditions and scheduling are the key issues in the negotiations