Members of the Building Services sector in Montreal represented by the Service Employees Union (SEU)Local 800, ratified a tentative agreement during their union general assembly held on Saturday, December 7. The agreement applies to building services employees working in public buildings covered by the Montreal Decree and reflects the sustained efforts of the bargaining committee to secure meaningful gains despite an economic climate marked by inflation and uncertainty.
The agreement is the result of rigorous negotiations and includes wage increases totaling 20.5% over six years, including a significant 6.75% increase in the first year.
Among the other notable improvements, the agreement provides for two additional floating holidays, enhanced night shift premiums, increased cashable sick leave credits, and improvements to vacation benefits.
Cristina Cabral, President of SEU800, praised the dedication of the bargaining committee, which was composed of representatives from various employers. She also acknowledged the valuable support provided by legal counsel Sarah Côté Pilon and Maxime Lazure-Bérubé. “These results demonstrate the strength of our Union and the power of worker solidarity,” she stated.
While the tentative agreement represents a major achievement, its implementation remains essential to ensure that affected workers receive the negotiated monetary improvements. The next step is the official enactment of the Montreal Decree so that these provisions can come into force.
Ongoing Dialogue with the Minister of Labour
The President of SEU Local 800 has engaged directly with Quebec’s Minister of Labour, Jean Boulet, to emphasize the urgency of expediting the decree renewal process.
“Minister Boulet has shown a clear understanding of the importance of ensuring a timely process. We will continue to monitor this matter closely so that our members can benefit from these well-deserved improvements as soon as possible,” she said.
A proactive dialogue between the Government of Quebec, the QFL, and affiliated unions, including SEU800, is already underway to help accelerate the steps required to bring the renewed decree into effect.