Over 211,000 construction workers in Quebec are set to vote in a union ballot, which could potentially lead to a major shift in the province’s construction industry.
The vote, which is being organized by the Quebec Federation of Labour (QFL), will determine whether or not the workers will remain under the control of the Construction Union of Quebec (CUQ) or join the QFL-affiliated Construction and Specialized Workers’ Union (CSWU).
The CUQ, which has been the dominant union in the construction industry for over 50 years, is facing strong opposition from the CSWU, which has been actively campaigning for the workers to join their ranks.
According to the QFL, the main issue at hand is the working conditions of the construction workers. The CSWU claims that the CUQ has not been able to secure fair wages and benefits for its members, while the CUQ argues that they have been successful in negotiating good contracts for their workers.
The vote, which will take place over the course of two weeks, will be conducted through mail-in ballots. The results are expected to be announced on May 10.
This union ballot has been a long time coming, as the CSWU has been trying to gain a foothold in the construction industry for years. In 2018, they attempted to merge with the CUQ, but the proposal was rejected by the CUQ’s members.
If the majority of the workers vote in favor of joining the CSWU, it could have a significant impact on the construction industry in Quebec. The CSWU has promised to fight for better working conditions and higher wages for its members, which could lead to a shift in the power dynamics within the industry.
On the other hand, if the CUQ retains control, it will be a major victory for the union and could potentially strengthen their position in future negotiations.
The QFL has stated that they will respect the outcome of the vote and will work with whichever union the workers choose to represent them.
This union ballot has the potential to bring about significant changes in the construction industry in Quebec, and the outcome will be closely watched by both unions and employers alike.
