Quebec hotel union calls 24-hour strike

Use of replacement workers souring talks

The Confédération des Syndicats Nationaux (CSN) is calling a one-day strike on Sept. 9 to try to break the impasse it sees in co-ordinated bargaining in the Quebec hotel sector.

On Aug. 29, the day following the announcement, workers at the Hilton-Bonaventure in Montreal occupied the lobby of the hotel to protest the slow pace of negotiations.

Three hotels in Montreal locked out CSN members starting in July and August: the Hyatt Regency, the Holiday Inn Select Sinomonde and the Hotel Espresso. On Aug. 29 a fourth, the Maritime, also began a lock-out.

The CSN reports that government inspectors have identified a number of replacement workers at the Hyatt Regency. The use of replacement workers during a strike is illegal in Quebec.

Among the union’s demands are better job protection, wage increases and increased employer pension contributions.

The CSN represents 5,500 employees of 35 hotels across Quebec.

Latest stories