Quebec premier urges crane operators back to work as ‘illegal’ strike continues
MONTREAL — Premier Philippe Couillard warned Quebec’s crane operators Tuesday there will be consequences for what he called an illegal strike, as construction sites were paralyzed across the province for a second consecutive day.
The premier said workers who refuse to return to their jobs could face penalties from the province’s construction commission.
“In a society of laws there are consequences for holding an illegal strike — consequences for individuals, consequences for organizations,” Couillard said in Quebec City. “It’s Quebec’s construction commission that oversees that, they have the power to act and I believe they will act.”
Crane workers are protesting changes to training requirements that will permit people without a vocational diploma to obtain an operator’s certificate.