A labour dispute is brewing at Le Massif de charlevoix, a popular ski destination outside Quebec City, potentially disrupting teh winter tourism season. Negotiations between resort management and the union representing roughly 300 workers have stalled, raising the threat of a strike as early as January 2nd. The union alleges a breakdown in good-faith bargaining, while the resort maintains its compensation packages are competitive and accuses the union of making excessive demands.
A potential strike looms over Le Massif de Charlevoix ski resort as employer-employee negotiations over a new collective agreement have broken down, according to the union representing approximately 300 workers.
The union has threatened to strike on January 2 if a deal isn’t reached by then. Just days before the potential work stoppage and the expiration of the current collective agreement, the employer ended negotiations, the Syndicat des travailleuses et travailleurs du Massif, affiliated with the CSN, announced on Tuesday.
A scheduled meeting on Monday was cancelled by management, which “refused to reconsider the union’s offer,” as was a further meeting planned for Tuesday.
The union contends that no further negotiation sessions are currently scheduled before Friday. Annick Simard, president of the Syndicat des travailleuses et travailleurs du Massif, “denounces the employer’s lack of willingness to compromise.”
“The union extended a hand, sent clear signals, and repeatedly issued warnings. Despite this, the employer chose to leave the negotiating table. Our members never aimed to strike. Unfortunately, the employer is forcing our hand with its blatant unwillingness to negotiate,” Simard stated in a press release.
The union also accuses Groupe Le Massif of “consciously deciding to plunge the region into an avoidable labor dispute.”
The Employer Responds
Groupe Le Massif responded with a statement on Tuesday afternoon, seeking to “clarify certain facts” in response to what it called the circulation of “inaccurate information [that] weakens the climate necessary for reaching an agreement.”
The employer asserts that its overall compensation package for employees “already exceeds that observed at several other comparable resorts.”
It explained that wage increases announced at other ski resorts are intended to close a gap in compensation relative to conditions at Le Massif.
Groupe Le Massif stated it has submitted two comprehensive offers “to advance the monetary aspects” of the agreement, and that the union presented a counter-offer on December 28.
“This counter-offer largely repeats the same demands for wage increases, which represent an escalation compared to regional market benchmarks and severely limit the possibility of moving towards an agreement,” the employer argued.
According to Groupe Le Massif, three scenarios for wage increases were presented, two of which include implementing a new, parity-based wage structure at the union’s request. The third scenario maintains the current structure.
“In all cases, a minimum level of increase is guaranteed for all employees, potentially reaching up to 12.77% in the first year for certain positions,” the employer noted.
Groupe Le Massif views the union’s decision to set a strike date just 24 hours after the collective agreement expires, and to contemplate a 10-day work stoppage, as an “unusual approach.”
“The management of Le Massif de Charlevoix recognizes the right to strike, but believes it is premature and contrary to the orderly continuation of the conciliation process,” the company stated in its release.
In the event of a strike, the company says it will “do everything possible to maintain a quality service and minimize the impact on the experience and on safety.”
“However, some operations may be adjusted depending on the ability of our management personnel to ensure activities,” it added on its website.
