(Montreal) Negotiations for the renewal of the collective agreements covering some 16,000 union members at Hydro-Québec will soon begin, in a particular context.
The negotiation committees of the six unions concerned, all local sections of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), affiliated with the FTQ, met over the past few days to prepare for these negotiations.
The six locals represent different trades: the valuable linemen, and also technologists, specialists and professionals, office workers and others.
“We wish the best for our members, but we are preparing for the worst,” they said in unison during the meeting.
These negotiations will take place in a context of change in the senior management of the Crown corporation and while the Legault government wants to further develop the capacities of Hydro-Québec.
In addition, Hydro-Québec is posting record profits. And the public has just been made aware of the importance of its employees, with the ice storm which at its peak left 1.1 million customers without power.
