Montreal blue- and white-collar workers rally with strike looming
More than 6,000 blue-collar workers face a labour dispute starting Monday as negotiations stall over purchasing power and respect.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Montreal's blue- and white-collar municipal workers rallied near city hall Saturday as labour negotiations entered a critical phase.
More than 6,000 blue-collar workers represented by the Syndicat des cols bleus regroupés de Montréal (CUPE 301) have been without a collective agreement since January 1, 2025. White-collar workers represented by the Syndicat des fonctionnaires municipaux de Montréal (CUPE 429) have been without one since December 31, 2025, seeking fair and respectful working conditions.
Nicolas De Ciccio, president of the blue-collar union, said the union is 36 hours away from a labour dispute as of Saturday. "There has been some progress at the bargaining table," De Ciccio said. "We negotiated until late last night, and we'll continue negotiating tomorrow until late. We continue to believe that a tentative agreement, which is what we want, is possible." Negotiations were expected to continue Sunday, with a possible dispute starting September 22.
The union assessment is that the city's offer, proposed by Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, would reduce workers' purchasing power when inflation and cost of living are taken into account.
White-collar workers plan additional mobilization for September 21 alongside other municipal union groups. A separate labour dispute is also possible that same day at Parc Jean-Drapeau, where negotiations have stalled for nearly three years. Workers there rejected the employer's final offer by 96 per cent.
The blue-collar union said it will not endanger the health and safety of cyclists during Montreal's hosting of the UCI Road World Championships, but will use pressure tactics to show that the City of Montreal does not respect its employees if a tentative agreement is not reached.
The facts
How many blue-collar workers are involved in this labour dispute?
More than 6,000 blue-collar workers represented by the Syndicat des cols bleus regroupés de Montréal (CUPE 301) are involved.
When could the labour dispute begin?
A labour dispute could start on September 22, 2026, if negotiations do not result in a tentative agreement.
What is the main concern of the blue-collar union about the city's offer?
The Syndicat des cols bleus regroupés de Montréal assesses that the city's offer would reduce workers' purchasing power when inflation and cost of living are taken into account.
When do white-collar workers plan additional mobilization?
White-collar workers represented by the Syndicat des fonctionnaires municipaux de Montréal plan additional mobilization for September 21, 2026, alongside other municipal union groups.
