PIERREFONDS – A couple weeks ago, construction workers descended on des Cageux Street and pulled up all the paved surfaces.
“They brought their trucks in and started smashing up the sidewalks,” said Chris Chakra, a Bank of Montreal employee who lives on the street. Chakra said they replaced the curbs, replaced the sidewalk, and then disappeared, leaving all their equipment behind on a street that now doesn’t have a surface.
“All of a sudden everything just came to a standstill, so now all these roads are just becoming a hazard,” said Alan Fishman, a resident of the area who was walking a neighbour’s dog.
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Monday’s announcement of a general construction strike involving about 100,000 construction workers is affecting several sectors outside of mega-projects like the superhospital in NDG. It also affects crucial road maintenance that takes place during the summertime.
The strike also occurs at a time when the Charbonneau Commission – formed to investigate corruption – has already caused two mayors to step down.
“It just feeds into this public cynicism we all have toward anything,” said Robert Libman, an urban planner and former city councillor. “After everything that’s been going on in the last few days, it’s almost like our face has been rubbed in it now.”
Construction workers are striking over new proposed contract terms that would require a reduction in overtime and include a pay raise of one percent. No one knows how long the strike – the first of its kind in 20 years – is estimated to last.
“Three days is too long. Three weeks is dangerous. And three months is hell,” said Christian Dubé, an MNA for the CAQ.
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