The union representing Hydro-Quebec specialists and professionals has failed for a second time in its attempt to have the court rule that the employer did not negotiate in good faith in the context of imposing certain “priority behaviours” that staff must develop. In April, the Administrative Labour Tribunal had already dismissed a complaint of obstruction and bargaining in bad faith filed by the union concerning these “priority behaviours” expected of employees, which had not been negotiated with the union. The local branch of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), affiliated with the FTQ, had requested a review of this decision, but only with regard to the employer’s alleged failure to negotiate in good faith. However, the Tribunal administratif du travail has just rejected the union’s request for review. In its initial decision, the tribunal ruled that there had been no interference with the union’s activities and no breach of the obligation to bargain in good faith. It added that the obligation to bargain in good faith began with the start of the actual bargaining phase, even though the union was in the habit of negotiating the renewal of its collective agreements hastily. On review, the tribunal ruled that this was the correct interpretation, in accordance with established case law. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 13, 2026.
