'Every minute counts': Quebec recalls MNAs to end province-wide construction strike

The Quebec government is officially recalling the National Assembly so it can table back-to-work legislation Monday as the province's labour conflict drags on.

"Every minute counts," said Labour Minister Dominique Vien.

"Every hour represents about $2 million of losses for the Quebec government."

Vien urged theprovince's construction unions and employers to strike a deal before the government steps in and ends the ongoing strike. She said she still had hope they would sign an agreement by the end of the weekend.

The move comes only a few hours after thealliance of Quebec construction unions announced itwillmove forward with legal proceedings againstemployer groups, arguing they are negotiating in bad faith.

• Reach a deal by Monday or we'll force you back to work,Couillardwarns construction workers

The unions claimthe group negotiating on behalf of employers, the Association de la construction du Qubec (ACQ), presented a new offer that sets negotiations back by several weeks.

"They brought back all these demands," said Michel Trpanier, a spokesperson for the alliance of unions.

He addedthe proposal included abolishing five consecutive work days and overtime pay.

The announcement was made Saturdayas the two sides were back at the negotiating table this weekend in a last-ditch effort to strike a deal.

ACQ spokespersonric Ctsaid he was surprisedthe union would take their complaint public sincethe two sides had agreed to maintain "radio silence" during negotiations.

"We had many occasions on our side to make complaints about bad faith and we did not, we continued to negotiate," saidCt.

The proposal made by the ACQ to the unions still stands and can still be accepted, he added.

Failed negotiations

Talks resumed earlier this week afterPremier Philippe Couillard announced Thursday that he wouldtable back-to-work legislation if the two sides couldn't reach an agreement by Monday.

The Quebec government also announced the addition of a fourth mediator to join the negotiations, in hopes of hammering out a deal before the deadline.

About 175,000 workers have been off the job since talks broke down late Tuesday night, bringingwork at construction sitesacross the province to a halt.

Workers in the industrial sector are asking for more stable work schedules, while salaries are believed to be the main sticking point in the residential sector.

They have been without a contract since April 30.