Over 5,500 members of the Hydro-Québec Union of Specialists and Professionals (SSPHQ) made a decisive vote on Wednesday evening, with a resounding 87% showing support for the tentative agreement finalized on Dec. 19. The previous collective agreement had lapsed in December 2024.
In a recent press release, the second-largest union within the state-owned organization shared news of a significant minimum compound wage increase of 18.4% for the period spanning 2024-2029.
Gilles Cazade, the president of SSPHQ-CUPE 4250, highlighted the transformative nature of the negotiation process, stating, “This negotiation marked a substantial shift for us. Despite challenging circumstances and leadership changes at the corporation, we implemented new strategies, revamped labor relations, and made significant strides in uniting our members.”
The freshly inked collective agreement brings forth innovative features such as the introduction of new promotion pathways for specialists and a provision allowing for flexible remote work scheduling.
Under the umbrella of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and affiliated with the FTQ, the local branch also revealed plans for a 12-month pilot initiative aimed at expanding satellite offices’ utilization and maximizing Hydro-Québec’s premises.
Cazade further elaborated on the agreement’s positive aspects, stating, “We’ve secured measures that enhance our ability to oversee subcontracting activities and safeguard Hydro-Québec’s internal talent pool. These provisions lay a strong foundation for our future negotiations.”
The primary dispute centered around subcontracting practices, with the union advocating for the retention of in-house expertise and job protection, while Hydro-Québec emphasized the necessity for operational flexibility.
