Approximately 130 striking workers at Quincaillerie Richelieu in Montreal – members of Teamsters Local Union 106 – just accepted their employer’s latest offer by 91%, thereby ending the strike.
The 5-year agreement provides a 2% signing bonus, along with salary increases totalling 19% over the duration of the new agreement.
Workers had been on strike since June 17th, fighting for better wages. Work at the company’s headquarters will resume as of next week.
For François Laporte, president of Teamsters Canada, this outcome once again demonstrates that organizing remains one of the best ways to be heard: “For the Teamsters, a strike is always a last resort. We want our members’ employers to thrive, but when an employer refuses to fairly compensate our members, we are not afraid to stand up and assert our rights. That’s what these members did, and they can be proud of themselves.”
Jean Chartrand, president of Local 106, added: “This victory is a testament to the unity and resolve of our members. Their determination has set a precedent for future negotiations, showing that solidarity and perseverance can lead to meaningful change.”
Stéphane Lebrun, union representative at Teamsters Local Union 106, who lead negotiations, congratulated the members on their strike: “Every day since June 17th, they walked the picket line, made their presence felt throughout the neighbourhood, and showed their bosses in their air-conditioned offices that we were serious and willing to fight to the end. Without our members’ steadfastness, we wouldn’t have this agreement today.”
At over 130,000 members, Teamsters Canada is the country’s largest transportation and supply chain union. It’s also the largest union in the federally regulated private sector. They are affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents over 1.2 million workers in North America.
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Marc-André Gauthier
Director of Communications, Teamsters Canada
Cell : 514-206-0492 | [email protected]
