Workers strike outside the Hotel Doubletree by Hilton in Montreal, on Aug. 1.Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press
Thousands of hotel workers in Montreal, Quebec City and Sherbrooke, Que., could go on a 24-hour strike next Thursday, according to their union.
The announcement from the Confédération des syndicats nationaux follows a wave of smaller surprise strikes, including a 36-hour strike at two Montreal hotels that saw 400 workers walk off the job Thursday.
The union, which represents 30 Quebec hotels and more than 3,500 workers, said a larger strike is necessary on Aug. 8 because not enough progress has been made in negotiations with the hotel industry.
Hotel workers have seven principal demands, including a 36 per cent pay raise over four years and an end to the use of employment agencies.
Last Sunday, 1,000 workers from three well-known Montreal hotels launched a surprise strike lasting 24 hours.
Employees at half of the 30 hotels involved in the negotiations have voted in favour of a strike mandate for walkouts totalling 120 hours.