Quebec Locals Gear Up for Raiding Period

Journal: Issue 1 - 2009

Maintaining a strong presence on the jobsite and close communications with members are hallmarks of BAC Local Union representation in Quebec. Once every few years, however, even the most responsive union leaders find themselves “kicking it up a notch” during Quebec’s intense, one-of-a-kind ‘raiding period,’ a central feature of the Province’s distinctive labour laws and heavily unionized workforce.

In Quebec, construction workers are required to be represented by one of five labour associations, which workers select on an individual basis. Each time a new collective bargaining agreement goes into effect, workers are again required to choose an association. Individual unions, such as BAC Local 1 Montreal, which represents tile setters, and Local 4 Quebec, which represents bricklayers, acquire members through their affiliation with one of the labour federations. In practice, workers who want to belong to BAC would select whichever labour association the Local is affiliated with.

The raiding period is the interval between the end of a contract (all agreement dates and durations are standardized) and before the voting period for workers to select their labour representative for the duration of the new agreement. The raiding period will be held May 1st to May 31st. Voting will take place on June 4th, 5th and 6th.

This period is central to our Locals’ efforts to keep their current members and gain new ones. Toward that end, the Journal is pleased to publish the following messages from the officers of BAC Local 1 Montreal and Local 4 Quebec.

This period is very important for your Local, and increasing the membership is essential for us. The goal for this year is two hundred new members. This will allow us to maintain our efficiency, our services, and expand the number of hours our business agents are spending in the field.