Outside workers protest in front of city hall over a budget set to impoverish workers

[Link] Hundreds of the Ville de Montréal outside workers gathered outside city hall today during an adoption session of the 2026 municipal budget. Organized by the Syndicat des cols bleus regroupés de Montréal (CUPE 301), this mobilization denounced a budgetary framework that, if unchanged, will impoverish municipal workers.

"This budget confirms our fears: the city is cutting off its means of protecting workers' purchasing power," said Jean-Pierre Lauzon, president of CUPE 301. "Given inflation is hitting full force, the framework amounts to asking outside workers to accept a net rollback."

The demonstration comes less than a week after a strike notice announced workers would hold a first strike day on February 4. CUPE 301 pointed out that outside workers have not exercised their right to strike since 2009, despite several difficult rounds of bargaining. This demonstrates their willingness and ability to reach negotiated settlements in the past.

"The mayor talks about collaborating with municipal workers and her respect for their work. But today's budget sends the opposite message. This is yet another example of presenting unifying public discourse while progress at the bargaining table has stalled," Lauzon added.

For the union, the message from today is clear: the city must match its words to its actions. Outside workers still want a fair deal, but they won't bargain toward their own impoverishment.

The union wishes to clarify that city hall was not stormed by outside workers during the protest. Some 30 outside workers peacefully entered city hall to attend the public city council meeting, a pivotal session for their working conditions. The police officers on site blocked their entry. It was only then that, still gathered in the entrance hall, they started making noise in protest.

The collective agreement expired on December 31, 2024, and dozens of negotiation and mediation sessions have already been held.