Union suspends manual workers’ strike before March Break 

Ruby Pratka, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

editor@qctonline.com

The union representing manual workers at the Ville de Québec suspended its indefinite strike on Feb. 27 after one week, citing “positive developments” in its discussions with the city administration.

The union’s most recent collective agreement expired at the end of 2023, and negotiations have been ongoing since February of last year; members also held a six-day strike last July. Last month, 90 per cent of members voted to reject the city’s final offer. In a statement at the time, SCFP local 1638 president Luc Boissonneault, said pay equity, work-life balance and predictable schedules were major sticking points in the negotiations, and that members were increasingly leaving to work in Lévis or in the private sector.

However, on Feb. 27, Boissonneault said negotiations were moving forward. “The employer’s representatives, like ours, have shown interest in exploring possible solutions that give us hope of finally find- ing a mutually satisfactory way forward,” he said in a statement. “Resuming activities is the right thing to do.”

Over the course of the weeklong strike, snow removal and garbage pickup were delayed and city-run ice rinks, pools, recreation centres and outdoor activity centres were closed. In a series of statements, city officials said normal opening hours at affected facilities would resume by March 3, and snow removal and garbage collection would also return to normal.

“The Ville de Québec welcomes the decision of the Syndicat des employés manuels to suspend its unlimited general strike … in order to facilitate a rapid settlement for the benefit of both parties and all citizens of Quebec. The discussions that took place yesterday, in the presence of the mediator, were constructive and allowed the city to reiterate that the desired solution must necessarily take into account citizens’ ability to pay,” city officials said Feb. 27. Mayor Bruno Marchand told reporters the suspension of the strike was “damned good news.”

“It’s a relief, and I thank them,” he said.

As of this writing, negotiations between the two parties are ongoing.