Five more days of strikes planned at SÉPAQ between June 20 and 24
The Syndicat de la fonction publique et parapublique du Québec (SFPQ) has announced five more strike days later this month at several sites operated by the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (SÉPAQ).
The strike will take place from June 20 to 24, the union said Friday.
While wildlife reserves were affected during previous strike days in mid-May, this time will be different: most SÉPAQ establishments will be impacted.
'All bargaining units will be affected, except for the wildlife reserves and one lodge. So that means campgrounds, parks, the Montmorency Manor, the Chic-Chocs mountain lodge, and all tourist centres will be impacted,' said SFPQ president Christian Daigle.
The dispute centres mainly on wages. Daigle said many workers earn about $17 an hour and noted that the vast majority are seasonal employees.
The union is calling for a 17.4 per cent wage increase over five years—the same deal that was granted to all government employees.
'This has a major impact on the people we represent. When you only work four or five months a year, missing five days of work is a serious financial hit. So it's not something they do lightly—but people are tired of being taken advantage of and not being offered a fair financial agreement by their employer and, especially, by the Quebec government,' Daigle said. SÉPAQ responds
'The union has the right to strike and is free to choose its timing,' said Simon Boivin, SÉPAQ's media relations officer.
He said SÉPAQ submitted 'a third monetary offer' last Tuesday and remains open to negotiating daily to preserve the long weekend for Quebecers. The strike days coincide with Quebec's Fête nationale holiday.
'We want to improve employees' wages with a competitive offer for the tourism industry—one that takes into account the pension plan and other benefits. We're aiming for a balanced agreement that satisfies employees, respects the organization's ability to pay, and doesn't shift extra costs onto visitors. It's worth remembering that 85 per cent of SÉPAQ's revenue comes from its own activities and customer services,' Boivin added.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 6, 2025.
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