There is a threat of strikes during the UCI Road World Championships in Montreal, Canada, later this month, after a workers' union in Quebec proposed seven days of industrial action from September 22-28.
As reported by Domestique, the Syndicat des cols bleus regroupés de Montréal (SCFP 301), which represents blue-collar workers – those who work outside of offices, for example, construction and municipal workers – announced on Wednesday that they had filed notice to strike from 6am to 6pm for seven days later this month, pending negotiations.
The union has 143,000 members in the province of Quebec, including some 70% of municipal employees, and members in transportation, education, and the fire service, among other sectors.
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At present, the strike is not confirmed, and the union is still in negotiations with the city of Montreal, primarily surrounding wage increases and the renewal of their collective agreement.
"We have just completed an intense round of negotiations, and the employer side does not seem to have a clear mandate regarding monetary terms. The City is still offering wage increases below inflation. Montreal’s blue-collar workers provide an essential service and deserve at least some seriousness at the bargaining table,” union president Nicolas De Ciccio said.
According to Ici Radio Canada, the union has clarified that 'essential services' would be maintained during any strike, but industrial action would surely be disruptive to the week-long event, which is expected to attract thousands of spectators, and would require city support for road closures and emergency services.
Radio Canada also notes that the union has previously criticised the city of Montreal for using private companies to resurface roads ahead of the Road World Championships. The union also staged a 72-hour strike earlier this year.
Negotiations are still ongoing, with a possibility that strike action can be avoided. De Ciccio said "there's no way we're going to agree to sign a collective agreement that would lead to the impoverishment of our members. We're not asking for the moon."
Cyclingnews has contacted the organisers for comment but has not yet received a reply. They reportedly declined to comment to Radio Canada.
With just over three weeks until the proposed strike start, there is still time for strike action to be avoided, or for mitigation plans to be put in place.
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