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Quebec City – December 9, 2019 – Activists from UFCW Local Unions in Quebec were a leading force at the 32nd Convention of the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ), held in Quebec City from November 25 to 28.

Under the theme “At Work In A Changing World," convention attendees discussed workplace automation and robotization, artificial intelligence, and big data that provide employers with new means of controlling and monitoring the workforce. The 900+ participants also had the opportunity to explore the mechanisms that will be needed to guarantee rights and protect workers in order to improve their working conditions in a rapidly changing labour market.

During the four-day convention, delegates participated in conferences, worked in committees, reviewed the main issues advocated by the FTQ, and adopted two policy statements on public and universal pharmacare and on the reform of the Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety. To this end, all participants went to the National Assembly to demonstrate in memory of workers who have lost their lives because of their work, and to demand better health and safety protections for all.

In addition, some 95 resolutions were discussed during the plenary sessions, including one presented by UFCW Quebec, which asked the FTQ to develop and implement a campaign to promote local and union purchasing among its affiliated unions, their members, and the people of Quebec. This resolution was warmly welcomed by the assembly and unanimously adopted.

Furthermore, participants confirmed the election of current FTQ President Daniel Boyer, who is entering his third term as president, and a new General Secretary, Denis Bolduc, of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The stewards also appointed 15 Vice-Presidents of the Executive for the next three years, including Anouk Collet, Executive Assistant to the UFCW Canada National President.

As is customary at FTQ conventions, striking groups came to address participants on the last day of the event. Accordingly, UFCW Local 501 members and representatives took to the floor to explain to delegates the issues surrounding the ongoing labour disputes at AGF Accès in Quebec City and Panneaux Optimum in Saint-Léonard-d'Aston.