Hundreds of thousands of Quebec construction workers eligible for a $300 cheque

After a class action ruling, over 100,000 Quebec construction workers are entitled to a $330 cheque, lawyer explains.

Workers and contractors who lost wages because their worksites were closed in an illegal protest in 2011 may be eligible for compensation starting Wednesday after a ruling on a class-action lawsuit.

The Quebec Court of Appeal ruled against FTQ construction and International (CPQMCI), ordering them to pay members of two union groups their wages for missed work on Oct. 25, 2011, plus interest.

At that time, there was a massive disruption of construction sites across the province to protest former premier Jean Charest’s Liberal (PLQ) government’s Bill 33, which sought to reform construction union rules.

The protests led then-labour minister Lise Thériault to table a motion calling for an end to work site vandalism and intimidation tactics.

She also demanded a return to work.

Bill 33 received royal assent on Dec. 2, 2011.

BMMD Avocats lawyer Benoit Marion explained that the Quebec Superior Court ruled in favour of the workers in 2020 and appeals to higher courts again came in his clients’ favour.

“After that, we went back to the first judge and discussed how we would proceed to give people what they were entitled to,” he said.

Marion said that workers will receive texts, emails or robocalls with details about the claim.

“I just want to reassure people that this is normal. It’s a way to reach them and it will lead them to a website,” said Marion.

Marion said the cheques will be around $330 to $340, and even those who have retired or changed jobs can make a claim.

Workers who fall under the class action lawsuit include:

• Construction workers in October 2011 who were on a site that was disrupted or closed on Oct. 25, forcing them to lose hours of work.
• Construction contractors working on the same date whose sites were closed or disrupted.
• Anyone who paid for work that was not carried out and/or incurred expenses on equipment on that day.
• The amount of reimbursement is not yet known, according to the judgement.

Those wanting to enter a claim can go to the FTQ-Construction site and fill out a claim form.

“Of course we are happy for them,” said Marion. “It’s a long fight and we put a lot of time and energy in for them and you never know, that’s the spirit of class action also. You never know if you’ll end up with a victory or not, so we are very happy for them.”