General
The Importance of Sustainability
Since the beginning of negotiations with the union, the Cemetery has sought to reach a reasonable agreement to continue to treat its employees well.
February 5, 2023
A Fair Compensation Package
The Fabrique de la paroisse Notre-Dame de Montréal manages two main assets: the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal and the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery. Since the beginning of negotiations with the union representing its operations employees, the Cemetery has sought to reach a reasonable agreement to continue to treat its employees well while ensuring the Cemetery's continuity for the benefit of the families of the deceased who rest on its grounds. As the employer, it has also consistently cooperated with the conciliator appointed by the Ministry of Labour.
Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery is an employer of choice, offering all its employees a comprehensive compensation package, including wages and benefits, that is unparalleled in the industry. The current situation can be summarized as follows:
In 2021, permanent operations employees received a base salary of over $30.50 an hour, and those who worked during the whole year enjoyed:
- An overall average salary of $68,249,(including overtime);
- A four-day work week, Monday to Thursday, from 7.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.;
- A salary for 37.5 hours despite working only 36 hours;
- Six (6) weeks annual vacation (average seniority: 23 years);
- 15 days statutory leave (10 statutory holidays + 5 floating days);
- 12 cashable sick days per year;
- Various bonuses depending on the tasks performed;
- A defined benefit pension plan to which the employee contributes 5% of their gross salary, while the employer adds up to 18.6% of the same gross salary, for a total annual payment of up to $14,000 per employee;
- A full range of insurance benefits, including short- and long-term disability, medication, dental and other therapeutic services, and life insurance. Employee contribution, 33.33%; employer contribution, 66.67%
- In total, the compensation represents more than $45 an hour for each permanent employee.
A Wage Increase of More Than 15%
In January 2023, while aiming to conclude a new collective agreement, the Cemetery presented the following to Operations Union representatives: an honest and reasonable wage increase of more than 15% for a five-year period. This includes increases of 3% retroactive to 2022, 3% on January 1, 2023, and 3% on January 1, 2024, 2.75% on January 1, 2025, and 2.5% on January 1, 2026. An additional lump-sum payment of $3,500 to each permanent operations employee and $2,400 to each seasonal employee was also proposed. With these salary increases, compensation would represent an hourly rate of almost $35, which represents a total compensation of $52 an hour for each permanent employee.
The Cemetery manages an outstanding space that offers a healthy, natural, and safe work environment, as well as free parking, gym equipment and outdoor picnic tables, and all uniforms required for work or an annual allowance of $424 for permanent operations employees. The Cemetery remains an employer of choice as the average seniority of regular operating employees was 23 years in 2022.
The Cemetery regrets that an indefinite general strike has been called despite the consequences for many families of the deceased. The Cemetery is working to minimize the impact of this strike on its operations and provide the best possible service to bereaved families.
The Cemetery's revenues, which come from said bereaved families, are used primarily to pay the salaries of its employees, which is why the Cemetery wishes to conclude an agreement with the operations union as soon as possible to continue its mission while ensuring its sustainability.
Latest News
General
The Cemetery's Renewed Commitment
La Fabrique de la paroisse Notre-Dame is proud to announce that it is on the right track to achieving its goal of contacting all families affected by the delays which occurred in 2023 and 2024 before the end of the year.
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.