Labour Tribunal intervenes on ‘illegal industrial action’ by Montreal blue-collar workers

City workers perform road work on a street in the Lasalle borough of Montreal, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)

The Administrative Labour Tribunal was forced to intervene following an “urgent application” from the City of Montreal concerning illegal industrial action by blue-collar workers.

The City of Montreal alleged that, since March 30, blue-collar workers had been refusing to take on the roles of team leader or group leader and had not recognized the authority of the stand-in foremen.

After hearing the evidence, the tribunal ruled that this constituted concerted action and that “this refusal, given the importance of the tasks performed by blue-collar workers, particularly in the operation, maintenance and/or repair of various infrastructure and numerous City assets, and the fact that it paralyses activities and services provided during certain shifts, is clearly likely to prejudice a service to which the public is entitled.”

The tribunal declared that the blue-collar workers’ concerted refusal to perform these duties “constitutes an illegal means of pressure.”

It ruled similarly regarding the refusal to recognize the authority of the stand-in foremen.

It therefore ordered the blue-collar workers to perform their normal duties. It also ordered the union to refrain from encouraging “any illegal work stoppage or slowdown.”

Montreal blue-collar workers have planned three days of strike action on April 15, 16, and 17. The tribunal has already approved the list of essential services to be provided, as agreed by the parties.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 9, 2026.