Five more days of strikes planned at SÉPAQ between June 20 and 24
The strike will take place from June 20 to 24, the union said Friday.
While wildlife reserves were affected during previous strike days in mid-May, this time will be different: most SÉPAQ establishments will be impacted.
'All bargaining units will be affected, except for the wildlife reserves and one lodge. So that means campgrounds, parks, the Montmorency Manor, the Chic-Chocs mountain lodge, and all tourist centres will be impacted,' said SFPQ president Christian Daigle.
The dispute centres mainly on wages. Daigle said many workers earn about $17 an hour and noted that the vast majority are seasonal employees.
The union is calling for a 17.4 per cent wage increase over five years—the same deal that was granted to all government employees.
'This has a major impact on the people we represent. When you only work four or five months a year, missing five days of work is a serious financial hit. So it's not something they do lightly—but people are tired of being taken advantage of and not being offered a fair financial agreement by their employer and, especially, by the Quebec government,' Daigle said. SÉPAQ responds
'The union has the right to strike and is free to choose its timing,' said Simon Boivin, SÉPAQ's media relations officer.
He said SÉPAQ submitted 'a third monetary offer' last Tuesday and remains open to negotiating daily to preserve the long weekend for Quebecers. The strike days coincide with Quebec's Fête nationale holiday.
'We want to improve employees' wages with a competitive offer for the tourism industry—one that takes into account the pension plan and other benefits. We're aiming for a balanced agreement that satisfies employees, respects the organization's ability to pay, and doesn't shift extra costs onto visitors. It's worth remembering that 85 per cent of SÉPAQ's revenue comes from its own activities and customer services,' Boivin added.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 6, 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
27 minutes ago
- CTV News
Halifax sees biggest employment spike in a decade: report
Halifax enjoyed its largest employment growth in a decade last year, according to a new report that tracks labour, population, affordability, real estate and education in the Maritime city. The Halifax Index 2025, presented by TD, explores how the city fared in 2024 through eight key factors: people, labour, economy, communities, affordability, well-being, real estate and a scorecard. It also compares Halifax with nine major benchmark Canadian cities: St. John's, Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver. 'A degree of moderation was evident in 2024, as population growth in Halifax slowed, the housing market eased slightly, and inflation declined allowing the Bank of Canada to start lowering interest rates,' the report reads. 'These factors contributed to greater purchasing power for Halifax residents and businesses after three consecutive years of decline. 'This forecast, however, was issued prior to the return of President Donald Trump to office in the United States. His threats and chaotic behaviour have caused confusion and elevated risk in the world economy, with Canada among the nations potentially affected most. The only certainty for 2025 would appear to be continued uncertainty with significant downside risks.' Labour The report says Halifax added 13,900 new jobs in 2024, the biggest increase since 2014. It also recorded a record high total employment of 277,400. Much of the employment growth was led by jobs in public administration (more than 4,500) and health care and social assistance (more than 3,900). Halifax had the second lowest unemployment rate among the benchmark cities, tied with Winnipeg and below Quebec City. Halifax lost jobs in: manufacturing: 1,200 professional, scientific and technical services: 1,300 information, culture and recreation: 1,200 forestry, mining, fishing, quarrying, oil and gas: 300 Population Halifax's population finally reached half a million in July 2024, but its growth rate fell to 2.4 per cent compared to 3.9 per cent in 2023. Its growth rate was the lowest among the benchmark cities. Overall the population grew by fewer than 12,000 people in 2024. 'Population growth was driven entirely by international migration,' the report reads. 'Natural growth, interprovincial migration, and intraprovincial migration figures were all negative. 'In 2024, the federal government introduced a series of tighter immigration measures including a cap on work permits and a new quota for study permits. As a result, Halifax admitted only 26,635 international migrants in 2024, a 4% drop compared to the previous year.' Economy Halifax's 2.6 per cent GDP growth rate was the second highest among the benchmark cities, according to the report. 'While Halifax's economy grew in 2024, GDP per capita did not,' the report reads. 'The pie got bigger, but each of the municipality's residents got a smaller slice. Productivity metrics remain less than encouraging. 'Cargo figures were down in 2024, at both Halifax Stanfield International Airport and the Port of Halifax, but air-passenger numbers continued to climb toward pre-pandemic levels. Cruise vessel and passenger figures, as well as total room nights sold, reached new record highs in 2024.' The report says Halifax saw positive growth in retail sales, but manufacturing sales fell after a three-year upward trend. Affordability Halifax enjoyed a six per cent increase in per capita income in 2024, but its poverty rate is at 13.3 per cent, behind only Toronto among the benchmark cities. The median child-care costs for infants in Halifax is $529 per month, which is in the middle of pack among the benchmark cities. More to come… For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CBC
27 minutes ago
- CBC
Alberta pays out $143M to company over coal policy reversal
Alberta is paying out more than $140 million to end one of five lawsuits launched against it over its coal mining policies. A notice published online by Atrum Coal says the company has agreed to end its lawsuit and surrender its land back to the province in exchange for the payment. The company says it received just under $137 million last week and will receive another $6 million after it completes some reclamation work. Atrum was one of two companies suing the province that announced last month that settlements were reached, but the other, Evolve Power, has yet to share details. The companies are among five that are suing Alberta for a collective $16 billion. They argue that Alberta effectively expropriated their land after it suddenly reinstated its long-standing coal policy in 2022 less than two years after it was lifted and companies had been encouraged at that time to buy land for potential mining projects.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Metrolinx's new CEO could earn a $137,000 annual bonus payment. Here is a closer look at his contract
The new CEO of Metrolinx won't make as much as his predecessor but could still take home more than $800,000 thanks to a lucrative bonus package. Michael Lindsay has been working as the interim CEO of Metrolinx since December 2024 but only took over as the agency's permanent CEO on July 1. According to an Order in Council detailing his three-year contract, Lindsay will earn an annual base salary of $686,566 but will also be eligible for a bonus payment of up to 20 per cent of his salary 'based on his performance evaluation.' If Lindsay maxes out the bonus payment, it would mean he would net an additional $137,313 in compensation in the form of a lump sum payment. He will also receive six weeks of paid vacation each year, per the terms of the contract. Phil Verster, the last Metrolinx CEO, made $883,99 in 2024, though it is not clear how much of Verster's compensation came in the form of a bonus payment. Verster was the fourth most paid public servant in 2024, according to the province's 2024 Sunshine List. Lindsay's salary would put him 23 on that list, excluding Verster. Lindsay was previously the president and CEO of Infrastructure Ontario. When he was named as Metrolinx's permanent CEO on June 25, board chair Dan Wright said that he was 'thrilled' to Lindsay in the permanent position. 'His proven ability to inspire the team and drive progress during the interim period gives the board great confidence in his leadership as we move forward.' Wright said in a Metrolinx press release. Lindsey takes over Metrolinx as work continues on finishing the much-delayed Eglinton crosstown LRT. Premier Doug Ford has previously said that opening the line, which was initially supposed to be finished in 2020, should be Lindsey's top priority and that he is 'fully in charge and going to get it done.' Ford has also indicated that it is possible the line could open as soon as September, though the former interim CEO of the TTC told a City of Toronto committee last week that he viewed that timeline as 'a reach.' 'I think September is a reach,' Greg Percy said. 'But, this fall is plausible, and certainly by year end. There's lots and lots of stuff going on that we need to fix to open safely, and that's what we're focused on.' In a Metrolinx press release in June, Lindsay said that he is looking forward to delivering 'the modern and high-quality transit network our communities need and deserve.'
