Quebec’s construction workers could go on strike Wednesday

Quebec’s 175,000 unionized construction workers are poised to go on strike as early as Wednesday despite the threat of back-to-work legislation by the province’s labour minister.

The strike would affect most sectors of construction, including residential, industrial, institutional and commercial. However, in a gesture of good faith, the Alliance syndicale has declared that in the event of a strike, construction workers would still be on the job in flooded zones across the province.

On Tuesday afternoon, the website of the main union, FTQ Construction, announced rallies would be held as early as 6 a.m. Wednesday at 23 locations across the province — from Montreal to Baie Comeau.

Labour Minister Dominique Vien refused to rule out the possibility the government would adopt a special law to compel construction workers to return to their jobs.

“It’s one of the options that we’re looking at actually,” Vien told reporters on Tuesday.

According to the government, the strike could produce losses to the economy of at least $45 million a day.

Daniel Boyer, the president of the FTQ, urged the government not to pass a special law.

“Quebec should let the parties express themselves,” Boyer said in a statement, adding that backto-work legislation would “undermine the right to free negotiations.”

Among the sticking points in negotiations are working hours, overtime and mobility across regions. Employers have been seeking more flexibility from workers, but union leaders have argued family lives would be jeopardized.

The Association de la construction du Québec (representing 60 per cent of the construction sites in the province) has sought to have workers start their shifts as early as 5 a.m. Monday to Friday.