SÉPAQ workers approve tentative agreement

Hikers enjoy the view from a lookout point during a hike in Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park, a park in the SÉPAQ network located in the Charlevoix region, on Sunday, June 10, 2018. (The Canadian Press/Justin Tang) (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Unionized employees of Quebec’s Société des établissements de plein air (SÉPAQ) have voted in favour of tentative agreements to renew their collective agreement.

The Syndicat de la fonction publique et parapublique du Québec (SFPQ) announced the result in a news release late Thursday.

The union said 75 per cent of members who took part in an electronic vote over the past few days supported the deal. Voter turnout was 73.2 per cent.

The roughly 2,500 workers had been threatening an unlimited general strike starting at midnight Saturday if the agreement had been rejected.

“We’re pleased with this positive outcome for all parties, as well as for Quebec vacationers who will continue to enjoy SÉPAQ’s facilities and the services provided by our passionate and professional members,” said SFPQ president Christian Daigle in the statement.

The new contract runs until 2028 and includes pay adjustments and wage increases totalling more than 25 per cent, the union said.

“On top of that are significant bonuses for part of the staff, as well as other monetary and non-monetary gains related to working conditions,” said Patrick Audy, SFPQ vice-president and lead negotiator.

The workers’ previous contract expired on Dec. 31, 2023.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French July 17, 2025.