General
The Light at the End of the Tunnel
A return-to-work protocol, containing the usual provisions, was also submitted to the unions on June 15, 2023.
June 29, 2023
The Time Has Come to Finalize Agreements and Get Back to Business
The settlement recommendation outlines guaranteed employment floors for both groups of employees, wage increases of 23% until 2027, the duration of the collective agreements, which would expire December 31, 2027, and the submission of a joint petition to the Ministry of Labour aimed at improving labour relations.
The recommendation signed by the parties states that the union unanimously undertook, in the presence of the chief mediator/conciliator, to present this recommendation to their members at a general meeting on June 28, 2023, and strongly recommend its acceptance.
It was also agreed that the unions would stop pressure tactics and keep the content of the recommendation confidential until it was presented to their members at a general meeting.
A return-to-work protocol, with the usual provisions, was also submitted to the unions on June 15, 2023. The unions asked for two separate protocols and resumed their pressure tactics, including repeated picketing in front of the homes of several volunteer administrators. They also submitted several new, unexpected monetary demands, and further intervention by the chief mediator/conciliator was required to enable an agreement to be reached on the return-to-work protocols.
“Today, we address the leaders of the CSN and the Presidents of the operations and clerical staff unions, Patrick Chartrand and Éric Dufault. In the presence of the chief mediator/conciliator, you signed the settlement recommendation. Today is June 29. You can and must resolve this conflict, which has gone on for too long, by honouring your commitments. We’ve gone above and beyond to make you the best possible offers. We’ve accepted the mediator/conciliator's settlement recommendation and will honour our commitment. Now, we need to finalize the agreements and resume cemetery activities as soon as possible to respect the bereaved families and those of the deceased,” says Michel St-Amour, Fabrique de la paroisse Notre-Dame volunteer administrator.
Latest News
General
The Cemetery Remains Operational and Services Continue Despite the Labour Dispute
La Fabrique, l’organisme sans but lucratif chargée de gérer le site historique du Cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, souhaite à nouveau souligner que les services considérés essentiels, notamment les inhumations, sont offerts malgré le conflit de travail du personnel administratif.
General
The Cemetery Announces the Near-Complete Reopening of the Site to the General Public
Following the end of the labour dispute which led to the closure of the Cemetery, La Fabrique announces that the near-entirety of the Cemetery will once again be made accessible to the general public, as well as the site’s three entrances, starting on September 11, 2023.
General
Consensus Reached with the Operations Union Until 2027
Many families have suffered for several months because they’ve been unable to complete their mourning or access the Cemetery to visit a loved one. We’re well aware of this and sincerely apologize for this situation.
General
The Fabrique Thanks the Minister of Labour for his Proposal to End the Labour Dispute
Representatives of the Fabrique met today with the Minister of Labour, Jean Boulet, to review the current labour dispute and the status of discussions underway between the parties, in collaboration with the chief mediator-conciliator, since June 29th.
General
The Fabrique Asks the CSN to Finalize Agreements
Un protocole de retour au travail, contenant les dispositions usuelles, a aussi été soumis aux syndicats le 15 juin 2023.
General
The Cemetery Wants to End the Labour Dispute
The Fabrique's negotiating team met with representatives of the unions representing its operations and office employees on June 2, in the presence of the head conciliator. The Fabrique presented them with a global settlement offer, which the two cemetery unions rejected.
Ecology & Biodiversity
The Cemetery Certified as a Haven for Biodiversity by Space for Life
Montreal's Botanical Garden, part of Canada's largest natural science museum complex, Space for Life, has officially recognized the Cemetery as a biodiverse haven.
General
Leftover Ice Storm Damages On-Site
Despite our work to repair the damages and clean the site, trees and branches still block many of the cemetery's 33 kilometres of roads.
General
The Cemetery Devastated by the Ice Storm
Following yesterday's major ice storm, on April 5th, the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery is devastated, as are many other areas of Montréal.
General
The Cemetery Soon to be Opened to Families of the Deceased
The Fabrique announces that Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery will soon be open to the families of the deceased.
General
Negotiating Reasonably to Remain an Employer of Choice
Since the beginning of negotiations with the union, the Cemetery has sought to reach a reasonable agreement to continue to treat its employees well.
General
Minimizing impacts and focusing on negotiation
The Fabrique has learned of the decision of the union representing its operations employees to call an unlimited general strike while negotiations are still underway.
Ecology & Biodiversity
The Cemetery Adopts the City of Montréal's Pollinator Protection Plan: 2022-2027 Objective
Our green actions have contributed to a significant increase in the number and variety of insects and butterflies, including the return of the Monarch butterfly, Montreal's emblematic pollinator.
General
Activities Continue at the Cemetery Despite the Strike
While negotiations for the renewal of the collective agreement continue, the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery Office Employees Union has announced that its members will be on strike as of September 20th.
Green Plan | Environment
The Green Plan Meet the Needs of Families & Montréal’s Biodiversity Conservation Goals
Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery is attracting an increased number of families this year. Since January 2022, more than 2,410 families have chosen the cemetery as the burial place for their loved ones, an increase of 11% compared to 2021. In addition, the number of families who have acquired a lot at the Cemetery has increased by 23%, and the total area of lots acquired is up by 48%.
Green Plan | Environment
The Artists' Union Associates Itself with the Cemetery's Green Plan
For the second year of implementation of the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery's green plan, the Artists' Union and Foundation announce their support for and association with the cemetery’s objectives of reducing its impact on the environment and maximizing its contribution to the development of biodiversity on Mount Royal.
General
Accepted Flowers During The Holidays
Read our regulations concerning the placement of natural flowers during the holiday season in our mausoleums.
Green Plan | Environment
A Look Back on the First Year of our Green Plan and Next Steps
We try our best to keep our clientele informed about the Green plan as well as present the ongoing challenges the cemetery faces.
History & Heritage
Mount Royal's Discovery Stopovers
Located on the Mount Royal Heritage Site, the Cemetery has the privilege of hosting a portion of the Escales découvertes, an initiative of the City of Montréal in celebration of its 375th anniversary.
Green Plan | Environment
Leave No Trace
We are proud to announce that we are proud partners with the nonprofit Leave No Trace Canada, an organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible use of natural areas.
History & Heritage
The Cemetery Commemorates Canadian Veterans
Every year on the first Sunday of June, the Last Post Fund visits Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery in order to pay tribute to the deceased who died honourably for our freedom.
Ecology & Biodiversity
Groundhog Season
The cemetery, like the rest of Mount Royal, is home to many animal species, such as groundhogs (Marmota monax), also known as woodchucks.
Green Plan | Environment
Remembrance Grove Welcomes Its First Resident
Today, we pay tribute to Mrs. Ana S.L., who was interred yesterday afternoon under the first tree of Remembrance Grove. She thus inaugurates a new chapter at Notre Dame des Neiges, a chapter in her image: in harmony with nature.