QUEBEC CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Close to 200 union activists from across Quebec held a demonstration today in front of the Océan Remorquage head office in Quebec City, in support of the dozens of workers who have been on strike since June 20. They called for a federal anti-scab law, similar to the Quebec Labour Code that covers the majority of Quebec workers.

“Disputes like the one we’re seeing at Océan Remorquage would have been settled long ago if this company were required to comply with a federal anti-scab law. The government has made a commitment to address this issue and to bring in legislation that will prevent the use of replacement workers. It needs to take action without delay. This is important for families who are engaged in a labour dispute that’s the result of a free pass given to federally regulated employers,” said United Steelworkers union (USW) Quebec Director Dominic Lemieux.

Steelworkers and members of other affiliated unions came out to support the Océan Remorquage striking workers as well as locked-out workers at the Port de Québec and to unanimously demand federal anti-scab legislation.

While the strike at Océan Remorquage started on June 20, 2022, the workers have been without an employment contract since April 2021. Negotiations have stalled over wages and scheduling. The current wage offer is well below industry levels, and demands for scheduling changes have upended work and family balance and are tantamount to wage cuts.

“Every day, the scabs walk right past us. They’re driving our boats and undermining our negotiations. The worst part is that the company is paying them even more than what they refused us during bargaining. Because of these scabs and the lack of a federal anti-scab law, we will very likely spend Christmas on a picket line instead of with our families or doing the jobs we love,” said USW Local 9599 member Pascal Delisle on behalf of the Océan Remorquage strikers.

Last month, federal Minister of Labour Seamus O’Regan announced a consultation process and promised to table a replacement worker bill by December 2023.

“The USW will pressure the government and all parties to ensure this commitment to an anti-scab law is kept without delay,” said USW National Director Marty Warren, who attended the demonstrations in Quebec City. “This profoundly unfair practice of replacing locked out or striking union members must be stopped. Industrial stability in Canada is at stake. We’ve seen non-stop growth in the companies’ profit margins during the pandemic. It’s past time to restore balance between employers and workers,” added Warren.

Affiliated with the Quebec labour federation (Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec, FTQ), the Syndicat des Métallos/United Steelworkers is the largest private-sector union in Quebec, representing more than 60,000 workers in all sectors of the economy.

Marty Warren, USW National Director, 416-544-5951
Kim Hume, USW Communications, 416-553-2421 (cell), This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.