Quebec construction strike: L’Alliance syndicale files complaint for bad faith bargaining

Work stoppage is seen on a residential construction site in the Montreal suburb of Pointe-Claire, Que., on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)

L’Alliance syndicale de la construction says it is filing a complaint, alleging bad faith bargaining by the Association des professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec (APCHQ).

In its complaint alleging a breach of the obligation to negotiate in good faith, the Alliance syndicale is accusing the APCHQ of conducting “sham negotiations” without the real intention of reaching an agreement in principle for its collective agreement.

The union also alleges interference and obstruction of union activities as contractors have allegedly offered workers wages higher than those provided for in the collective agreement with the aim, according to the union, of ending the strike.

It will be up to the Administrative Labour Tribunal to decide on the matter after hearing the parties.

Quebec’s residential construction strike began on May 28.

Approximately 60,000 of the 200,000 members of the Alliance syndicale work in residential construction.

However, some construction sites remain active, with employees continuing to work despite the strike.

Three other sectors of the construction industry renewed their respective collective agreements before the April 30 deadline: civil engineering/roads, industrial and commercial/institutional.

– This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 16, 2024.