Hydro-Québec trades workers strike again starting Nov. 20, refusing overtime
The CUPE local representing 6,271 trades employees will refuse overtime from Nov. 20 to Nov. 30, its second strike sequence since the collective agreement expired.
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From 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 20 to 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30, Hydro-Québec's trades employees will refuse overtime, according to the union. Essential services will be maintained during the action, and the Administrative Labour Tribunal must rule on the level of service for Nov. 20.
The union is CUPE, affiliated with the FTQ, representing 6,271 members including operators, assemblers, electricians and mechanics. It says it has no choice but to strike again to advance renewal negotiations, and that further pressure tactics will intensify if no deal is reached at the table.
The collective agreement has been expired since Dec. 31, 2023. Subcontracting is at the heart of the dispute. Hydro-Québec says it has always used subcontractors and that its internal workforce is growing. The union wants the pension plan, the salary security plan, wage increases and telework negotiated.
In the first overtime strike, from Oct. 23 to Nov. 2, the tribunal sided with the union on nearly all points, rejecting Hydro-Québec's bid to cancel the strike notice and its attempt to expand the essential-services list. It found the employer's evidence showed planning delays, not a threat to public health or safety.
The union's second-largest counterpart is pinning its hopes on resumed conciliation. No date for those talks has been set.
