Five construction unions in Quebec have the authorization for a collective strike action in the residential sector.
Construction workers in Quebec's residential sector are left in limbo, as a strike could be imminent if union demands aren't met. The Alliance syndicale, the collective of five unions in the industry, has already voted for an unlimited general strike – threatening to bring the Quebec economy to a standstill if necessary.
Tired of the status quo, union workers are ready to walk off the job, with Alexandre Ricard, Alliance spokesperson, warning that they will "pull out all the stops" if their purchasing power isn't restored. As the clock ticks down to their deadline on May 21, the Alliance syndicale is urging the Association des professionnels de la construction et de l'habitation du Québec (APCHQ) to get their ducks in a row and hammer out a deal.
The APCHQ responded, expressing their readiness to negotiate actively in order to avoid a crippling strike. Despite their commitment to finding a resolution, their efforts have yet to bear fruit. If the strike goes ahead, it could have disastrous consequences for the Quebec economy, with ripples felt in everything from real estate to retail.
The workers are demanding a more substantial wage increase to keep up with the rising costs of materials, land, property taxes, and industry structure. "If we want to achieve our housing objectives, we have to make sure that we have a competent workforce that stays in the sector," stated Richard during an interview.
The stakes are high for both the workers and the broader economy of Quebec. With the residential construction sector being a key driver of jobs and housing availability, a strike could deal a significant blow. Alongside the ongoing labor dispute among government engineers, the construction sector's instability could exacerbate economic uncertainty and worsen the province's already fragile infrastructure development.
Sources:
[1] Labor dispute in Quebec's residential construction sector may lead to strike – Workers demand 9% wage increase, unions seek unlimited general strike mandate (Canadian Press, 2025)[2] Quebec labor unrest: Residential construction workers vote for strike mandate after negotiations fail (CTV News, 2025)[3] Concurrent labor disputes threaten Quebec's economy, infrastructure development (Global News, 2025)[4] Ongoing government engineers' strike in Quebec causes delays and potential mass layoffs (Radio-Canada, 2025)[5] Quebec road rehabilitation industry braces for layoffs amid ongoing labor disputes (Le Soleil, 2025)
- The upcoming interview with Richard, spokesperson for the Alliance syndicale, could shed light on the general-news topic of the ongoing labor dispute in Quebec's residential construction sector, as well as the union's demands for a 9% wage increase and their threats of an unlimited general strike.
- The potential economic impact of this labor dispute extends beyond the construction industry, potentially affecting finance through increased costs, business profits due to project delays, and politics due to the uncertainty it brings.
- As the economy of Quebec is tightly interconnected, the ripple effects of a strike in the residential construction sector could be seen in various areas such as the economy, retail, and even infrastructure development, making it a matter of significant concern for the province's politicians and economic stakeholders.
