Since the late 1960s, the Quebec labour
movement has been characterized by the establishment of common
fronts, the most well known being the first joint public sector
common front, which, in 1972, united more than 210,000 provincial
government employees from a combination of unions.
Once united, the common front called for - and won - a minimum
wage of $100 per week, cost-of-living adjustments, improved pension
plans and significant wage increases for all.
Negotiations were marked by the most extensive strikes in Canadian
labour history, the imprisonment of three union presidents and more
than a dozen militants, and, above all, considerable disruption for
the public in the form of roadblocks and the occupation of towns,
airports and radio stations. The government was forced to ask union
presidents to appeal for prison release in order to continue the
bargaining process. Some months later, in October, the workers'
principal demands were met.
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The May 1972 General Strike
[Translation]"This exceptional act of repression [the imprisonment of three
union presidents] unleashed the first general solidarity strike -
spontaneously launched by the anger of workers - in the history of
the labour movement in Quebec. Scarcely had the three presidents been
imprisoned in the Orsainville prison on May 9, when unions everywhere
mobilized in a dramatic reaction to the established order and its
"legality." All told, more than 300,000 union members participated,
for varying periods of time, in this major week-long uprising, which
called for the release of the imprisoned leaders. The events of May
1972 gave an incredible boost to class solidarity.
Work stoppages broke out in the public and private sectors alike:
among construction and metal workers, miners, machinists, auto
and textile workers, stevedores, salespeople, print-shop employees,
the staff of major news media, teachers and some hospital workers.
In towns like Sept-Īles, Thetford, Sorel and Joliette, the strike was
almost generalized, with people talking about the strikers
"occupying" and "being in control of" workplaces. Radio and
television stations were occupied by the union members, who
broadcast their messages."
Excerpt from Histoire du mouvement ouvrier au Québec
(CSN and CEQ), 1984, p. 266.
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[Translation] "It was not necessary to create a common front in an
effort to obtain the goals we could have reached through ordinary
negotiations. Our demands were aimed at helping the most
disenfranchised of society. When our demand of $100 per week for the
lowest classification was made public, several of our members
objected because it was unthinkable, unachievable and unacceptable.
But, in a year and a half, no-one will earn less than $100."
Quote from Marcel Pepin, President, CSN, in Minutes of the
conference: Fedération nationale des services, 1972, p. 1.
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