It's too hot to work, say workers at CHUM superhospital construction site

Construction workers at the new CHUM superhospital site in downtown Montreal walked off the job Wednesday morning to protest working conditions.

More than 1,000 workers put their tools down and gathered on the street outside around 8:30a.m.

They returnedto work about three hours laterafterofficials gave them assurancesthat the hospital'sair conditioning system would be running by next Monday.

"All the members are going back to work toshowgood faith," said union representative SamiSaba.

Workers said they wanted the windows open or a ventilation system installedto help with air circulation in the building, especiallyon itsupper floors.

The hospital gavethe workers permissionto remove their safety vests as a temporary measure.

Air quality tests conducted on June 7 came back normal, but it was recommended that further tests be carried out in warmer weather.

The workers' union saidit may conduct its own test to measure air qualityduring a heat wave.

A high of 30 C is expected today with a humidexreading of 36.

The completion of CHUM, which is being built by a public-private partnership, has been delayed by five to seven months.

It wasinitially slated to be finished in April. Construction is now expected to wrap upin the fall.

• CHUM superhospital won't be completed by spring deadline