Three unions in negotiations with Hydro-Québec protest in Montreal

The three unions in negotiations with Hydro-Québec protested in front of the crown utility’s head office on Wednesday.

 The Union of Professional and Office Technicians of Hydro-Quebec (CUPE 2000), the Union of Hydro-Québec Specialists and Professionals (SSPHQ) (CUPE 4250) and the Union of Hydro-Québec Network Employees (CUPE 5735) have been trying to negotiate a new collective agreement for more than a year.

The main points that employees are asking to negotiate are the pension plan, the salary security plan, wage increases and telework.

These three unions represent nearly 8000 employees of the Crown corporation.

The protest was held in hopes of speeding up the stalled negotiations.

“We want to be recognized and to be part of the advancement of society because without the employees of  Hydro-Québec there is no more Hydro-Québec and we can for sure contribute to the prosperity of Quebec and we need fair wages, fair conditions but above all we want to protect the natural property which is Hydro-Québec for all the Quebecers,” said Gilles Cazade, president of theSSPHQ.

“Hydro-Québec employees are also victims of the inflation of recent years,” said Dominic Morin, spokesperson for the common front and coordinator of the energy sector of CUPE-Quebec. “We have to find an agreement! It is thanks to these employees that Hydro-Québec is recognized as a world leader in its field. To be grateful to them by offering them a good contract would be the least we could do.”

In November 2024, the three unions gave themselves a mandate for pressure tactics of up to five days of strike. For CUPE 4250, members voted 98.47 per cent in favour of it; for CUPE 2000, 96 per cent; and CUPE 5735, 98 per cent.

“I want to let the public understand that without our expertise Hydro-Québec won’t be the same and your electricity rates will rise because without our expertise you do some silly decisions, and we are here to understand you and help you,” said Cazade.