Henri Masse leaving Quebec's largest union group

One of Quebec's leading labour activists is stepping down from the helm of the province's largest union group.

Henri Massé announced Tuesday he will not seek another mandate as president of the Quebec Federation of Labour, or FTQ (from its Frenchinitials). He dismissed rumours he is considering a new career in politics.

"I have a little farm in the Eastern Townships, and I'm going to start growing things. That's where things are going. When you've spent your life in the public sphere as FTQ president, you have to at one point return to a more quiet life," he told journalists at anews conference in Montreal on Tuesday.

Massé has acted as FTQ president for 14 years. He'll cede his leadership at the union's next general meeting at the end of November.

The FTQ isan umbrella organizationcounting nearly 500,000 workers in various fields including construction, health and social services. Itrepresents about 45 per cent of unionized workers in Quebec.