Strike looms in Quebec’s residential construction sector as negotiations stall
Posted May 21, 2025 1:36 pm.
Last Updated May 21, 2025 4:00 pm.
Tensions are rising in Quebec’s residential construction industry as talks between the Alliance syndicale de la construction and the Association des professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec (APCHQ) continue without a deal.
With negotiations dragging on and no agreement in sight, the Alliance syndicale could legally call a strike Wednesday. Instead, it says it submitted what it’s calling a final offer to the employers’ association, and is urging the association to submit it to its members.
The union argues that employers should have the opportunity to vote on a deal similar to agreements already accepted in the industry’s three other sectors, where nearly 90 per cent of employers supported similar terms.
If the APCHQ refuses to hold a vote or if its members reject the offer, the union says it will assess next steps, which could include launching a strike — something the five unions that form the alliance have already given themselves a mandate for.
Over the long weekend, both sides met following a request from the Alliance syndicale for intensified bargaining. Despite those efforts, no agreement was reached.
The APCHQ presented a one-year interim offer, which the Alliance syndicale says is inadequate and fails to meet the urgent needs of workers.
It argues that wages were already lower in the residential construction sector than in other sectors, and that the gap has widened since the other three sectors renewed their respective collective agreements.
“Employees in the residential sector lose an average of $145 a week and will never get that money back. Action is urgently needed. The hand we are extending to the APCHQ today is our last-ditch attempt to avoid a labour dispute,” said Alliance spokesperson Alexandre Ricard at a press conference Wednesday alongside union leaders.
Concern from business owners
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), which represents over 100,000 small and medium-sized businesses across Canada — including 22,000 in Quebec — is warning that a strike could shut down thousands of construction sites and further weaken an already vulnerable economy.
A recent CFIB survey found that the majority of small business owners in Quebec are concerned about a strike in the construction industry this year. In total, 69 per cent of those surveyed said they are worried about the potential impact of a strike.
The survey also found that 86 per cent of respondents said they want the provincial government to intervene to prevent a work stoppage. A large majority — 84 per cent — also said they believe Bill 89, which aims to protect the public during strikes and lockouts, should be extended to include the construction sector. Among businesses directly involved in construction, this number rises to 90 per cent.
“SMEs are already facing major challenges such as the tariff war with the United States, rising material costs, a shortage of skilled labour, and extended lead times. A strike in the sector would worsen an already precarious situation. The government must use leadership to avoid conflict. It must also ensure that it acts to avoid reviving melodramas with each renegotiation by amending Bill 89 to include the construction sector,” says François Vincent, CFIB’s vice-president for Quebec.
Construction key to economy, but many businesses struggling
A new CFIB report shows how important the construction sector is to Quebec’s economy. It makes up about seven per cent of the province’s GDP and supports many other industries.
Most businesses in the sector are small — 97 per cent have fewer than 50 employees, and many are feeling the pressure.
“Our report also indicates that the confidence of SMEs in the sector in 2024 in Quebec is at its lowest level in 15 years, at a level similar to during the pandemic. All their operating costs are rising. It should be noted that insurance costs (76%), payroll costs (74%) and fuel costs (71%) are the top three input costs that are currently causing problems for construction SMEs,” said Vincent Pâquet, senior policy analyst.
Quebecers want fewer strikes, more government action
The CFIB also shared results from a Léger poll, which shows many Quebecers are tired of strikes that hurt the economy.
Seventy-four per cent of people said there are too many strikes in Quebec. And 72 per cent believe the government should be allowed to step in when labour disputes harm the economy.
–With files from La Presse Canadienne
The CFIB Pulse Survey was done March 10-11 and included 273 business owners in Quebec. The margin of error is plus or minus 5.93 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
The Léger poll was done online from March 14 to 17 with 1,005 people. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.09 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
