Quebec laborers may experience a similar job outcome as Air Canada's flight attendants, according to union officials.
In a move that could reshape labour relations in Quebec, three major unions have announced their intention to legally challenge a new law that grants the labour minister the power to end a strike or lockout through forced arbitration.
The law, which was passed by the Quebec government in May, is currently under scrutiny by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ), and the Confédération des syndicats démocratiques (CSD). The unions represent a wide range of workers across various industries, including Air Canada flight attendants.
The controversy surrounding the law stems from concerns that it could be used to circumvent negotiation processes, potentially leading to an imbalance in power between employers and employees. Magali Picard, president of the FTQ, and Éric Gingras, president of the CSQ, have expressed their apprehension that Quebec workers could face similar treatment to the striking Air Canada flight attendants, whose strike is currently deemed unlawful by the federal labour relations board.
Picard predicted that employers in Quebec may use similar strategies, letting negotiations fester before asking the government to intervene under false pretenses. This concern is rooted in the potential incentive for employers to drag their feet on negotiations while waiting for the government to step in.
The new Quebec law expands the types of services that must be maintained in the event of a strike or lockout, aimed at preventing the population's social, economic, or environmental security from being disproportionately affected. However, the health and public services sectors are excluded from the law's scope.
Interestingly, the two union presidents drew a parallel between the new Quebec law and federal legislation that permits Ottawa to force two sides in a labour dispute into binding arbitration. The Quebec law applies when a strike or lockout is deemed likely to cause serious or irreparable harm to the public.
Meanwhile, Canada Post and its union have indicated their intention to resume bargaining talks, offering a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution in some labour disputes. The report was first published on Aug. 18, 2025.
As the legal challenge unfolds, the unions' stand against the new law could set a precedent for labour relations across the province, potentially reshaping the balance of power between employers and employees in Quebec.
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