Snow clearing, garbage collection impacted by Quebec City's upcoming blue-collar workers' strike

Quebec City's snow-clearing operations will be significantly reduced starting Thursday due to an upcoming unlimited general strike.

The city's union for blue-collar workers announced the strike after an overwhelming majority rejected the city's offer to increase wages by around 20 per cent over six years.

On Wednesday, the city outlined its list of essential services and clarified how residents might feel the strike's impact — notably on snow removal, garbage collection and the services at public sports centres.

Over 50 per cent of the snow-clearing operations are performed by city employees. During the strike, unionized workers will only have to clear 50 per cent of the road — a minimum width of 6.5 metres.

Roadway intersections must be completely cleared but bicycle paths will not be cleared during the strike.

Typically, the city begins snow removal when there's just a few centimetres of accumulation, says François Moisan, director of public relations for the city. But starting Thursday, sidewalks will only be cleared if snowfall exceeds nine centimetres and roads if accumulation exceeds 16 centimetres.

The frequency of garbage collection will also be reduced in some areas, such as Beauport and La Haute-Saint-Charles, where collection will be once a month. As of March 1, the city will open collection drop-off centres to mitigate the impact.

Materials from hospitals, long-term care homes and seniors' residences will continue to be collected as usual.

Events taking place in public arenas such as swimming courses will be cancelled, says Moisan.

Pre-planned events — including the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament and events at ExpoCité — will not feel the impact of the strike. He says city managers will be stepping in.

"If they have qualifications, if they are able to do it, they are going to be able to take the place of some employees. But you know we have less directors and they have a job to do, too. So we cannot replace every employee that is on strike," said Moisan.

"It's going to be tough days, tough weeks … they're going to have a lot to do."

The Tribunal Administrative du Travail, Quebec's workplace tribunal, said that both parties must be prepared to renegotiate certain terms of the agreement, especially considering the changing seasons.