Christian Gammon-Roy
Tribune
Local school bus drivers employed by Alouette Bus Line, represented by the United Steelworkers Union (USW), have now been striking for just over a month. Officially in a strike position as of Saturday, February 21, they first took to the picket line on the following Monday, February 23. The strikers have been out on the corner of Front and Coursol Streets waving signs decrying their current wage of $18.11 per hour. While there hasn’t been movement on the contract negotiations during this time, things have been far from quiet. Starting February 26, scab workers took over routes despite the strike. On March 10, the bus line also sent a letter to the drivers advising that their contract with Nipissing Parry Sound Student Transportation Services (NPSSTS), which arranges bus transportation for the four area school boards, could be cancelled due to the prolonged labour action. However, the strikers seemed undeterred, organising a Day of Action on Friday, March 20, inviting people to join their picket in support, and even putting on a barbecue.
The Day of Action served as a more lighthearted break from the normal picketing of the last month. It was a welcome morale boost, and a way to make sure the drivers and their cause remained visible. “We had all hands on deck at the picket line to raise awareness that we’re still here, we’re still fighting for better wages, and we want to get back to work,” describes Mike Scott, USW representative and one of the negotiators for the Alouette drivers.
While morale did seem high during the event, Scott says it is a constant battle to keep it that way with scab workers taking over routes and warnings from their employer threatening an end to their contract. “I think it was used as a tool to maybe give us a nudge, but our members are extremely firm and committed to this fight,” Scott says of the March 10 letter to the drivers. In the letter, Alouette Bus Lines states that their contract “permits the Consortium to terminate the contract in the event there is a labour disruption that lasts more than 15 days. This date occurs on Friday, March 13, 2026.” The letter adds that if the contract is cancelled, the company would have no routes for the remainder of the school year. While that date has come and gone without change in the contract, the company effectively outlined a looming threat should strike action continue.
