Blue-collar workers in Montreal have announced a week-long strike scheduled from September 22 to 28, coinciding with the Road World Championships taking place in the city.
The strike, organized by the Syndicat des cols bleus regroupés, a local union affiliated with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, will involve around 6,000 workers. Despite concerns initially raised about a potential strike at Jean-Drapeau Park during the cycling championships, the action will now extend across the city.
In response to the strike announcement, the union has assured that essential services will be maintained during the planned strike period.
The primary issue at hand in the ongoing labor dispute is compensation. Nicolas De Ciccio, president of the affected CUPE local, emphasized that negotiations for a new collective agreement are ongoing, with the main sticking point being the city’s offer of wage increases below the inflation rate.
Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, while acknowledging the city’s budget constraints, highlighted the importance of balancing financial considerations with fair compensation for essential workers.
This strike follows previous industrial action by blue-collar workers in mid-April, during which essential public services were ensured by the city.
