Dockworkers of the Port of Quebec
The employer locked out its employees on September 15, 2022, putting more than 80 people and their families in a precarious situation.
Find out who is affected by this business decision by an employer who has been using replacement workers since:
Cynthia and Richard
“I never thought a company I worked for for so long would disrespect us so much by throwing us out on the street.”
The story of Cynthia and Richard...
Richard, affectionately known as “bébé” by his colleagues and friends, has dedicated 35 years of his life to the Port of Quebec. Since the lockout began, his partner Cynthia has candidly admitted that the financial stress has triggered two bouts of depression. She’s compiled a list of the hardships they’ve faced over the past two years: unhealed wounds, a loss of control over Richard’s diabetes, and an increase in medication for both of them.
“My grandfather, my father, my uncle, they were all longshoremen too. I never came to work reluctantly. I was often early for my shift, that’s how much I loved my workplace. I would never have believed that a company I’ve worked for for so long could show us such disrespect by putting us on the streets,” Richard Hudson says with a heavy heart.
“Smiles disappear during a lockout. It’s not easy, but I still love my ‘bébé,'” Cynthia Boivin adds with a glimmer of hope.
Fred and Myriam
“I don’t understand the employer. How far is it worth going to leave someone on the street like this?”
The Story of Fred and Myriam...
Fred and Myriam were about to buy a house when the lockout turned their lives upside down. Without stable employment, the bank refused them a mortgage. They will therefore welcome their baby in a small apartment ill-suited to their needs. Their dream is shattered. Money is tight, but the solidarity between colleagues helps them stand tall.
Fred has been a longshoreman for seven years. He is passionate about his job.
“I loved coming to work, even though the hours are sometimes difficult. I don’t understand the employer. How far is it worth it to leave someone on the street like that? My wife and I, as well as many of my colleagues, suffer when they just want to do their job. It doesn’t make sense,” says Fred.
“I broke my tibia six months ago and now I’m expecting a baby. It’s hard not to be upset by this lockout,” adds Myriam.
Pierre
“I gnawed away at my savings so I wouldn’t lose everything, but it’s a long and painful process. I’ve spent my life here. I loved my job.”
The story of Pierre...
Pierre, a long-time worker at the Port of Quebec since 1988, was looking forward to retirement. However, his employer’s brutal decision to lock him and his colleagues out for over two years has shattered those plans and plunged his life into turmoil. Dreams of a peaceful future have been dashed, replaced by constant, gnawing stress. Adding to his woes, his wife has been diagnosed with cancer. He emphasizes that the suffering during a lockout extends beyond the workers themselves, affecting spouses, children, and even grandchildren.
“The stress is sometimes unbearable. I don’t understand how anyone could put human beings through this,” Pierre says. “I’ve used up my savings to avoid losing everything, but it’s a long and painful process. I’ve spent my life here. I loved my job.”
Richard
Richard says his life been on hold for two years.
The story of Richard...
Richard says that for two years, his life has been on hold. He talks about his job with great pride. He even paid thousands of dollars out of his own pocket to take a training course to be hired at the port in 1988. He was on his way to retirement. He reminds us that the only reason the port continues to operate is because the employer uses replacement workers, scabs.
“It tears me apart to see people taking our jobs. I’ve given so much to this port, and they treat us like cattle. It makes no sense that in 2024 an employer can act like this. Thank goodness there are unions for employers like this. With this lockout, he’s forced us to take a leave of absence from our lives. Two years is a long time,” says Richard.
Tommy
“It’s cruel not to be able to do what you love: your job. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”
The story of Tommy...
Three years ago, Tommy left a good job to become a longshoreman at the Port of Quebec. It was a dream come true. If he could turn back time, he wouldn’t have left his previous job. He feels betrayed. He lives alone and admits that he cannot commit to any relationship because he says he doesn’t have much to share anymore.
“I think it’s cruel not to be able to do what you love: our job. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. It’s too hard. The only positive side is that thanks to our conflict, an anti-scab law was passed in Ottawa. We changed history!” recalls Tommy.
Tomy
“They replaced us quickly, without training. We are treated like less than nothing…”
The story of Tomy...
Tomy has been operating heavy machinery for 12 years. A night-shift worker, Tomy simply loves the job, a dream he has fulfilled ever since his youth, despite difficult working hours.
“I have always wanted to do this, the boats, the waterfront. Even though the hours are long, I love my work.”
The lockout, however, has hit his colleagues from the day shift hard – some of them, with more than 30 years of service.
“They have replaced them quickly and without training. They treat us like dirt, and the law allows them a year to continue on. This is truly hard…”
Tomy, also a construction worker, is desperately hoping to return to his post.
“I get along fine with the team. We work out any problems quickly. I just hope the public realizes the seriousness of the situation. We have had enough for a long time now, two years and counting.”