Montreal blue-collar workers want city to double its ‘indecent’ salary offer

Montreal’s blue-collar workers say they will not accept the city’s 11 per cent salary increase over five years under any circumstances and argue the city should double its offer for negotiations to move forward.

Speaking at a rally marking the start of a three-day strike Wednesday, union president Jean-Pierre Lauzon said negotiations with the city are at an impasse over what he called an “indecent” and “illogical” offer. 

While Lauzon declined to specify what percentage the union is seeking, he pointed to nearby examples — such as in Montréal-Est and Dollard-des-Ormeaux — where blue-collar workers secured increases of more than 20 per cent.

“It’s for sure over 20 per cent,” Lauzon said when asked what the union wants. “People are negotiating six-year or five-year agreements at 21.5 or 22 per cent elsewhere, so why won’t the city of Montreal do the same?”

Striking blue collar workers rally outside the Des Carrières incinerator in Montreal Wednesday April 15, 2026. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette

The city’s more than 5,000 blue-collar workers, represented by CUPE Local 301, are on strike from 6 a.m. Wednesday until 6 a.m. Saturday. The walkout follows a 24-hour strike held in February. The union has been without a contract since December 2024.

Lauzon said the average blue-collar worker in the city earns an annual salary of $55,000. Many have been leaving to work elsewhere in recent years because they can’t afford housing in Montreal, he added.

“We’re not striking for fun; we’re here because we have no choice,” Lauzon said.

The union president said he understands Montreal wants to save money, but suggested the city look to cut costs somewhere else. He noted there are 103 elected officials in Montreal, though stopped short of calling for that number to be reduced.

“What we’re asking is for the city to do the work needed to understand what’s driving up costs,” Lauzon said. “Because it’s not blue-collar workers who are driving up costs. It’s the administration and the way things are done.”

Striking blue-collar workers rally outside the Des Carrières incinerator in Montreal Wednesday April 15, 2026. John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette

Asked about the labour dispute in recent weeks, Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada has repeatedly said the city is negotiating several collective agreements at once and needs to respect taxpayers’ capacity to pay.

During Tuesday evening’s Ville-Marie borough council meeting, Martinez Ferrada said she supports blue-collar workers in their work and has met with them on several occasions during the negotiations.

“But the city’s financial framework is what it is, and it’s difficult,” the mayor added.

Meanwhile, the official opposition at city hall, Projet Montréal, is questioning whether the Martinez Ferrada administration has mismanaged the file.

“Six months into its term, despite promising to resolve labour disputes quickly, our blue-collar workers are still on strike against an administration that dared to make them an offer lower than the one made by the previous administration,” leader Ericka Alneus said in a statement.

Essential services are maintained throughout this week’s strike but some disruptions are expected, such as waste and compost pickup being postponed in certain boroughs.

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