Unions representing 175,000 Quebec construction workers have launched a general strike following months of failed labour negotiations.
The strike began at midnight on Wednesday (May 24).
Workers in the industrial sector are asking for more stable work schedules, while salaries are believed to be the main sticking point in the residential sector, CBC reported.
“Employers are asking us to sacrifice time with our families to be available for work,” said Michel Trépanier, spokesperson for the alliance of construction unions. “There are limits and they’ve been reached.”
Their collective agreements expired April 30.
Quebec Labour Minister Dominique Vien said she’s hopeful construction workers and their employers can reach an agreement quickly.
“The message I want to send is that it would be better to have a negotiated deal than a special law,” Vien said after meeting with both parties Wednesday afternoon. “I think that everyone here very much agrees with that.”
