Quebec government engineers launch ‘overtime strike’
Posted February 10, 2025 1:10 pm.
Last Updated February 10, 2025 1:12 pm.
Engineers employed by the Quebec government have launched an “overtime strike” — they are refusing to work after 5:30 p.m., as well as on weekends.
The 2,000 workers are members of the Association of Engineers of the Government of Quebec (APIGQ) — a large independent union. They work at the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests, and the Ministry of Cybersecurity.
The APIGQ has been negotiating for the renewal of its collective agreement for several months and its president, Marc-André Martin, believes that “the government is making almost no progress.”
This evening, night and weekend strike “still has the power to move things forward,” he believes. And, for the moment, “it does not impact any service to the population.”
The situation could change, however, if the union decided to toughen its strike. “Of course. We are in no hurry to sign a bad settlement. We have already had five days of unlimited general strike. We are on strike for overtime. There is nothing that is excluded for the future,” said Martin.
He is referring to the unlimited general strike that the APIGQ had started last November, before interrupting it after a few days.
The strike could also weigh more heavily as the time of year approaches when construction planning takes place.
“We trust the negotiating table for now. Then we will see, when we get to spring, if we need to increase the pressure a little,” said Martin.
Negotiations are continuing with the Treasury Board, supported by the ministries concerned.
The dispute concerns remuneration, professional autonomy, the use of subcontracting to the private sector and the flexibility expected of engineers.
Quebec did not comment at the time of publication.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
