STM-sanctioned ‘prayer space’ making waves with union
Union leader Luc St-Hilaire said he's getting a lawyer's opinion on whether prayer space legal
A new designated 'prayer room' created by the STM in a Youville garage is causing friction with the workers' union.
The room, which is under a staircase, was designated for prayer after a Muslim maintenance worker requested a space to worship. It’s about one metre across by six metres wide.
The STM informed the workers' union about the initiative on Wednesday. Union leader Luc St-Hilaire said it’s causing a controversy.
"A lot of people contest the decision that the STM authorize that kind of space,” he said.
Radio-Canada is reporting that tensions at the garage were already high. Employees posted cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad and some Muslim employees complained to management.
A spokesperson for the STM says anyone can use the space to pray, when they’re not working.
However, St-Hilaire says many workers feel this favours one religion over another. He’s asked his umbrella union, the CSN, for a legal opinion.
"We have 2,500 people at the union,” he said. "For us, they have different sex, different religion, and different nationalities, so we have to help everybody.”
The STM would not provide an interview.