Talks ongoing to avert strike in Quebec construction

LEGISLATION LOOMS

MONTREAL • Last-chance negotiations in the three-day Quebec construction strike hit an obstacle Saturday afternoon with the filing of a complaint by the union, which deplores the “bad faith” of their counterparts.

The Quebec government has called in members of the National Assembly to pass a back-to-work law, Labour Minister Dominique Vien confirmed Saturday.

About 175,000 workers have been on strike since talks broke down late Tuesday night, crippling activity on major projects such as the Champlain Bridge and a Montreal superhospital to a halt.

Work schedules and overtime are believed to be at the heart key in the industrial sector, while salaries are the main issue in residential.

Negotiations have not broken off between the parties. Both the Trade Union Alliance and the Quebec Construction Association assured they wanted to reach a negotiated agreement to head off the law, which the government believes could harm both sides.

Meanwhile, the construction unions announced Saturday they would launch legal proceedings on Monday morning for “bad faith negotiations against the Quebec Construction Association (ACQ) and its negotiator, Dominic Proulx,” because, according to them, the ACQ “lied” by saying it was withdrawing the work-family balance clauses.

“Last night, they came back laughing in front of us with this demand while we have 175,000 workers who are on the streets, who lose wages, and then we have the sword of Damocles of a special law. I am obliged to send this message,” said Michel Trépanier, spokesperson for the Alliance syndicale .