Renewal of collective agreement delivers 22% salary increase for Gatineau’s Blue-Collar Staff
Sophie Demers
During a special meeting on February 10, City council officially adopted an agreement between Gatineau and the Gatineau Blue-Collar Union for the renewal of their collective agreement. Gatineau will finalize the draft of the agreement for signing in the coming weeks.
The members of the union accepted the tentative agreement during a general assembly on January 25. The agreement details a 22% increase in salary over five years, with 10% in 2025 and an additional 3% a year from 2026 to 2029.
“The discussions were always quite clear on both sides. There were common objectives, as well as important requests made by each party. Although sometimes heated, they always remained respectful,” said Benoit Charlebois, president of the Gatineau Blue-Collar Union. “All avenues were explored, always in accordance with the mandate given to us by our general assembly. We pushed the process as far as possible to reach this agreement. Although it is not perfect, it respects all our workers. There is still work to be done for certain groups, but despite this, it is a very good agreement.”
The city states that the increase is a necessary catch-up as salaries were below the market standards for this group of employees. The agreement also details a review of work arrangements to better focus on resource development and stabilities as well as a review of schedules and granting overtime and permanent positions. Charlebois says part of these efforts is the creation of 55 permanent positions.
“I am very pleased that we have been able to ratify an agreement in principle which, thanks to the cooperation and good faith of the parties, ensures the necessary wage catch-up for our blue-collar workers compared to other jobs,” said Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, Gatineau Mayor.
When asked about what aspect of the negotiation process stood out to him, Charlebois said, “The most striking element was all the energy invested in ensuring organizational stability, particularly in relation to training and efforts to slow down workforce displacement.”
The Gatineau Blue-Collar Union represents 880 members and is affiliated with the Federation of Public Service Employees (FEESP), the Central Council of National Unions of the Outaouais (CCSNO, and the Confederation of National Unions (CSN).