The major union representing 6,200 skilled workers at Hydro-Québec has announced another round of strikes, beginning Nov. 20. This strike will take the form of a refusal to work overtime, from 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 20 to 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30. Essential services will be maintained. The union proposes to maintain the same essential services that its members provided during the previous strike, which took place from Oct. 23 to Nov. 2. However, the Administrative Labour Tribunal will have to rule on this matter. The collective bargaining agreement for members of the local chapter of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), affiliated with the FTQ, expired on Dec. 31, 2023. The use of subcontractors is at the heart of the dispute. Hydro-Québec stated that it has always used subcontractors and noted that its in-house workforce is nonetheless growing. The union has 6,271 members, including operators, fitters, electricians, and mechanics. It states that it has no choice but to carry out this new round of strikes, in the hope of moving the negotiations forward for the renewal of its collective bargaining agreement. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Nov. 12, 2026.
