Champlain Bridge: Crane operators organize surprise protest

Crane operators withthe FTQ-Constructionunion protested thismorning outsidethe offices of their employers atSNC-Lavalin in downtown Montreal.

The workers denounced the hiring of crane operators from outside the Montreal region to work on thenew Champlain Bridge.

These are similar claims to thosetaken up by FTQ-Construction union representative Bernard "Rambo"Gauthieron Quebec's North Shorefor several years.

In June, more than 150 construction workers onthe North Shore took to the streets over the issue.

• Bernard 'Rambo' Gauthier granted discharge on intimidation conviction

Adelegation of crane workers made their wayto the offices of SNC-LavalinFriday morning to hand over a listunemployed crane operatorsfrom Montreal.

The group's plan was to meet with with SNC-Lavalin representatives but the doors at the main entrance were locked.

The workers then wentto Montreal's City Hall to ask Mayor Denis Coderre to intervene and ensure that only Montreal-based operators are hired on the local work site.

Radio-Canada has learned that six of the crane operators working on the new Champlain Bridgecome from outside the region of Montreal. Some live in Quebec City.

The union estimates that about 20 crane operators are currently unemployed in Montreal and that they have the necessary skills to work on the new bridge.

The FTQ-Constructionunionbelieves that employers should hire within the surrounding areas of the construction site.

The union takes issuewith loopholes in the law and is accusing SNC-Lavalinof profiting from it.