"The important thing is to sign all the contracts before the start of the school year," said Education Minister Jean-François Roberge.
Article author:
La Presse Canadienne
Quebec City — With the start of the new school year looming, many The school service center in the city has yet to reach an agreement with school bus drivers, prompting the government to appoint a negotiator.
It announced that it had appointed Claude Sovagault as a negotiator to "ensure reliable and safe transportation services for all Quebec students."
Discussions are still ongoing between the government and the Autobus Transport Federation to facilitate contract renewal. A meeting was scheduled to take place on Wednesday between airline representatives and Sovago, Education Minister Jean-François Roberge confirmed. Roberge told reporters. "We are in a major blitzkrieg, and I am confident we can find a solution."
“Bringing it together,” said the press release. He also serves as support for the school service center and school board engaged in "negotiating sprints" with carriers.
defended himself for prolonging the file while the was imminent.
"We started negotiations with carriers in the spring in May. We have already signed some contracts. There are contracts being signed every day," he said. , noted that less than half of the agreements have yet to be resolved.
"The important thing is that [the contracts] are all signed before the start of the school year," Roberge said, noting the exact number of contracts still pending.
According to the ministry, multiple student transportation contracts expired on June 30 for a variety of reasons, including inflation and labor shortages, which are impacting the cost of operating businesses. Delayed update. This may lead to service interruptions in some areas.
The Federation des Centers des Services Collaire du Quebec (FCSSQ) said it was prepared to "deploy contingency measures". I'm here. While the possibility of postponing the start of the school year or offering distance learning has been ruled out, we do not recommend using public transportation or offering day care services so parents can drop off and pick up their children. Some have suggested.
According to the FCSSQ, not taking the bus to school every day would save about $5 million, freeing service centers to fund alternatives.
In a press release, the Federation said it welcomed Sovago's appointment and said it was "reassured" by the continuation of negotiations. I hope that it will be possible to "conclude a contract with a carrier."
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