Latest news with #SÉPAQ
CTV News
6 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
SÉPAQ workers approve tentative agreement
Hikers enjoy the view from a lookout point during a hike in Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park, a park in the SÉPAQ network located in the Charlevoix region, on Sunday, June 10, 2018. (The Canadian Press/Justin Tang) Unionized employees of Quebec's Société des établissements de plein air (SÉPAQ) have voted in favour of tentative agreements to renew their collective agreement. The Syndicat de la fonction publique et parapublique du Québec (SFPQ) announced the result in a news release late Thursday. The union said 75 per cent of members who took part in an electronic vote over the past few days supported the deal. Voter turnout was 73.2 per cent. The roughly 2,500 workers had been threatening an unlimited general strike starting at midnight Saturday if the agreement had been rejected. 'We're pleased with this positive outcome for all parties, as well as for Quebec vacationers who will continue to enjoy SÉPAQ's facilities and the services provided by our passionate and professional members,' said SFPQ president Christian Daigle in the statement. The new contract runs until 2028 and includes pay adjustments and wage increases totalling more than 25 per cent, the union said. 'On top of that are significant bonuses for part of the staff, as well as other monetary and non-monetary gains related to working conditions,' said Patrick Audy, SFPQ vice-president and lead negotiator. The workers' previous contract expired on Dec. 31, 2023. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French July 17, 2025.
CTV News
06-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Five more days of strikes planned at SÉPAQ between June 20 and 24
The Syndicat de la fonction publique et parapublique du Québec (SFPQ) has announced five more strike days later this month at several sites operated by the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (SÉPAQ). 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.
CTV News
24-05-2025
- CTV News
With summer nearing, SÉPAQ promotes local camping getaways
With school ending soon, SÉPAQ is encouraging families to explore local parks and camping options, even as recent strike action raises some uncertainty.
