Revenu Québec employees responsible for processing Quebecers’ tax reports gave themselves an indefinite strike mandate a few months ahead of tax filing season.
The approximately 5,800 workers represented by the Quebec Government’s Professionals and Freelancers Union (SPGQ) have given themselves 82.64% of a new strike mandate.
Union members regret that negotiations to extend their contract, which expired on April 1, 2020, have been deadlocked for years.
“Management negotiators are offering nothing more than a hungry pay rise of 2% a year, despite the current triple inflation rate. Our members reject this despicable attempt to impoverish them,” commented SPGQ President Guillaume Bouvrette.
The industrial action, if it continues, could create complications for taxpayers.
“SPGQ wants to minimize disruption to taxpayers. However, the latter must consider a return to the paper method of filing their income tax return if the employer does not cooperate to conclude an essential services agreement,” Mr Bouvrette noted.