Strike on the horizon for Revenu Québec professional staff

Professional employees at Revenu Québec have issued a strike mandate that could disrupt the tax filing process for Quebecers in the coming months.

The workers represented by the Syndicat de professionnelles et professionnels du gouvernement du Québec (SPGQ) have been without a work contract since April 2020.

After an unsuccessful strike of evening and weekend shifts last fall, the 5,800 or so union members voted 84% last week to walk out, which could lead to an indefinite general strike.

According to union president Guillaume Bouvrette, the workers feel that the 2% annual increase proposed by Quebec is insufficient to catch up with high inflation, in addition to being uncompetitive.

The union also denounces the illegal interference of Revenue Quebec managers in the voting process of its members, and deplores the employer’s refusal to commit to regulating telework.

Mr. Bouvrette also points out that an improvement in working conditions would be beneficial to all parties involved.

According to Bouvrette, the strike by Revenue Quebec professionals could begin as early as the beginning of February.