Port of Quebec longshore workers demonstrated in front of the offices of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) on March 15, the 18-month anniversary of their lockout.
The 81 workers, represented by CUPE, have been locked out since September 15, 2022, by the Société des arrimeurs de Québec (SAQ). They recently learned that the CDPQ will become a principal shareholder in one of the SAQ’s members, and are hopeful that they can pressure the Caisse to help end the lockout.
“We hope that CDPQ will clean up [SAQ member] QSL’s labor relations practices. QSL is part of why this situation has continued. CDPQ must do everything in its power to return to the bargaining table and resolve this conflict,” says CUPE representative Nina Laflamme.
The key issue in the dispute between the longshore workers and the Société des arrimeurs de Québec is the question of work schedules. Employees refuse to continue being forced to work up to 80 hours a week.
“According to the Canada Labour Code, normal working hours are eight hours a day and forty hours a week – the maritime industry must adapt to this reality,” said Laflamme.
[Photo: Cupe.ca]
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