Another step forward for rights of Quebec agriculture workers

Montreal – April 18, 2013 – In the wake of a historic victory at the Quebec Superior Court, UFCW Canada Local 501 has welcomed the announcement by the Quebec government that it will not appeal the March 11, 2013 decision. The legal fight, to uphold the rights of seasonal agriculture workers to unionize, was commenced almost five years ago.

The successful outcome, and the government's decision not to appeal, means that seasonal agricultural workers in Quebec will have the same rights to unionize as all other workers in Quebec. In its ruling, the Superior Court gave the Quebec government twelve months to amend its legislation to conform to the court's March 2013 decision.

"We are very pleased to finally close an important chapter in the legal battle," says Louis Bolduc, Executive Assistant to the National President of UFCW Canada. "The government's decision not to appeal is of particular importance since it opens the door to discuss and address what has been a discriminatory situation faced by all seasonal agricultural workers."

To this end, a meeting was held on April 12, with Quebec Minister of Labour Agnès Maltais. At the meeting, Brother Bolduc and UFCW Canada Local 501 Secretary-Treasurer Mario Délisle had a positive discussion with the Minister regarding issues and priorities in the wake of the ruling. "By initiating this new chapter of dialogue with the government," says Bolduc, "we have moved one step further in ensuring the rights of agriculture workers in Quebec."