Quebec truck protest blocks Turcot Interchange during rush hour

A rolling protest of dump truck drivers hit Highway 20 in Montreal just as rush hour started Monday morning.

Dump truck drivers started blocking the entrances and exits to the Turcot Interchange construction site around 8 a.m.

READ MORE: Quebec dump truck demonstration could disrupt Monday morning rush hour

The union representing 3,500 drivers claims that, in an effort to get construction projects done quickly, Transports Quebec has hired drivers who aren’t union members.

The Quebec Association of Artisan Truckers (ANCAI) is leading the charge.

READ MORE: Avoid the Turcot Interchange until 2019, says Transports Quebec

It argues because these drivers aren’t registered with the Commission des transports du Québec (CTQ), and therefore don’t invoice the same way, there is the potential for corruption.

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“We’re keeping an eye on what happened,” said Martin Girard, a Transports Quebec spokesperson.

“For now, it’s too soon to know if it will have a major impact on the schedule of the work.”

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Girard insisted he wouldn’t comment on negotiations with the union, but said the ministry is monitoring the protest’s effect on the Turcot.

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The trucker’s union confirmed the demonstration will end after the lunch hour.

The demonstration has stops at 60 regional Transports Quebec service centres, including in Montreal and near the national assembly in Quebec City.