Press release
Breaking point at Rivière-Ouelle Camping: employees on unlimited general strike

Workers at Rivière-Ouelle Camping launched an unlimited general strike yesterday morning at 7:00 a.m.

This decision comes after several months of tensions marked by disputed dismissals, vacant positions left unfilled, and collective bargaining negotiations that have failed to produce an agreement between the parties.

Dismissals at the Heart of the Dispute

The conflict originates from a series of events that have significantly affected the workplace climate within the organization.

Following the filing of grievances by three employees, two of those employees, each with more than 35 years of service, saw their employment come to an abrupt end on the very day a new General Manager assumed his duties.

The board of directors maintains that these were resignations. A version disputed by the individuals involved and the union. 

The president of the union unit, Nancy Gagné, also lost her job after showing up at the workplace in her capacity as a union representative to find out about the situation. 

“All I ask for is respect and recognition for members who have devoted years of service to this organization. Today, this respect is seriously being called into question,” says Nancy Gagné. In response to these events, members held a special meeting on May 1.

In response to these events, the members held an extraordinary general meeting on May 1st. At this meeting, 87% of them granted a strike mandate that could lead to an unlimited general strike. 

Union Denounces Workforce Reduction 

The union is also criticizing the employer’s decision not to fill several positions that have become vacant over the past few months.

Two retirements have not been replaced, and certain positions have been eliminated, including the overnight security position. According to the union, this role contributed to site monitoring, incident prevention, and support for day-to-day operations.

Where a team of thirteen employees previously carried out these responsibilities, the work is now reportedly being distributed among nine employees.

“Our members have seen their workload increase significantly over the past several months. They feel they are not being heard and no longer have the resources necessary to perform their jobs properly,” said Frédéric Morin, Union Representative with UES800.

Collective Bargaining Reaches an Impasse

Six bargaining sessions have been held between the parties to date.

According to the union, several issues remain unresolved, including the reinstatement of employees who lost their jobs and the filling of vacant positions.

No additional bargaining session has yet succeeded in narrowing the gap between the parties’ positions.

Campers Will Continue to Have Access to the Site

The union states that its strike action is not directed at the campground’s customers.

Campers will continue to have access to the campground and move freely throughout the site. However, the significant reduction in staffing levels may result in delays or disruptions to certain services.

“We hope this situation can be resolved quickly. The door remains open to resume discussions and find solutions that will restore a healthy and respectful workplace for everyone involved,” concluded Frédéric Morin.