QUEBEC CITY – Work on Quebec City’s amphitheatre, one of the province’s biggest construction projects, has come to a grinding halt.
Workers were ordered to put down their tools early Monday morning, as unions, represented by the Alliance syndicale de la construction, declared a general strike.
“We cannot accept that our working conditions be rolled back,” said the Alliance spokesperson André Fecteau.
At issue is an attempt by the Quebec construction association to reduce the amount of overtime worked. Also, the association is offering a 1% pay increase, while the unions are seeking 3% in the first year and 2.75% in the last two years of the contract.
“I have no sympathy for either the bosses or the unions.”
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As news of the strike spread, the mayor of Quebec City could barely contain his anger.
“I have no sympathy for either the bosses or the unions, not at all,” said Régis Labeaume. “I don’t know if they realize what they’re doing.”
The amphitheatre is Labeaume’s pet project, due to be completed in 2015. He estimated that each day lost will cost $200,000.
“I mean it’s huge. By the end of the week, it’ll be a million dollars down the drain, down the drain, for nothing,” Labeaume said.
It’s not just the amphitheatre that will be affected by the strike. Dozens of sites in and around Quebec City, 10 alone at Jean Lesage Airport, have been completely paralyzed.
Take a look at all the Montreal construction projects impacted by strike
In Montreal, work on the two superhospitals – projects are worth more than $3 billion – has also been stalled and roadworks and residential construction sites are also being affected.
“Negotiation, not legislation.”
Quebec hasn’t seen a general unlimited strike in the construction industry in over 20 years. Still, the Labour Minister is determined not to step in.
“No, no special legislation,” said Agnès Maltais.
“Since 20 years, everything is decided by negotiation so we’re waiting for an agreement by negotiation, not legislation.”
Maltais believes the two sides have too much to lose to keep the strike going more than a few days.
She’s asking Quebecers to be patient and urges negotiators from both sides to get back to the bargaining table.
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