Bill to limit the right to strike: Quebec unions ask for meeting with Legault

Common Front union leaders, Eric Gingras, president of the CSQ, left, and Magali Picard, president of the FTQ, speak during a news conference in Montreal, Sunday, January 7, 2024. (Graham Hughes / The Canadian Press)

Quebec’s three largest trade unions are calling for a meeting with Premier François Legault regarding the bill limiting the right to strike.

At a joint press conference in Montreal on Thursday, the presidents of the CSQ, Éric Gingras, the CSN, Caroline Senneville, and the FTQ, Magali Picard, once again denounced Labour Minister Jean Boulet’s Bill 89, which would allow arbitration to determine the content of a collective agreement in order to end a labour dispute in certain cases.

The bill also forces “minimum services,” rather than “essential services,” to be maintained during a strike or lockout to ensure the “well-being of the population” and avoid “disproportionately affecting the social, economic or environmental security” of the population.

The specific consultations on this bill have ended, but the anger of over a million union members is not abating, the three presidents reported.

“What we’re saying to the premier is: you have the choice of taking us on as partners, or else you’re pushing us into being your adversaries,” said Senneville.

They union leaders said they are open to discussing any problems that may have arisen with certain labour disputes.

“We weren’t even presented with the problem or problems. Then we were presented with a ‘canned’ solution in advance,” Gingras said.

“The first thing we have to do, and we’re still questioning the Labour Minister and the premier on this: what are the problems? We’re going to look at them together. And, as has often been done, and will continue to be done, we are capable of reaching agreement.”

The three unions have already warned they will challenge the bill before the courts if it is adopted as is, pointing to the Supreme Court of Canada’s 2015 ruling in Saskatchewan that the right to strike has constitutional protection.

They warned that the ministers concerned should expect protests when they travel.

“Even in 2025, the only way for workers to make themselves heard is to take to the streets,” said Picard.

Of course there will be pressure tactics, there will be ‘welcoming committees’ everywhere. I reiterate that it will be done in a responsible, orderly, coordinated and intelligent way. But this bill will definitely not pass."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French March 27, 2025.