Workers, already engaged in a seven-day strike, were not satisfied with negotiations. The zoo remains open through the disruption.
Unionized employees of the Granby Zoo, in negotiations to renew their collective agreement, voted 91 per cent in favour of giving their union an unlimited general strike mandate.
The vote was held by secret ballot at a general assembly Friday morning, said the Syndicat national des salariés de la société zoologique de Granby, affiliated with the CSN. It said it could call a strike at an opportune time.
The union represents some 130 veterinary and animal-care technicians, naturalist-interpreters, mechanics, carpenters and administrative staff of the Granby Zoo.
This mandate comes as workers were on a second seven-day strike that began on July 20.
According to the vice-president of the union organization, “the members were disappointed with the negotiation report.”
“We all hope to get back to the work we love as quickly as possible. But not under any conditions. For us, it is essential to settle the negotiation now,” Alexandre Gilbert said in a statement, inviting the employer to “put itself in settlement mode without further delay.”
On its website, the zoo said its installations remain accessible despite the labour disruption. The workers are responsible for the health and well-being of animals and entertainment on the site.
The union is demanding better job stability, better family-work-studies conciliation and promotion of staff attraction and retention.
They have been without a contract since Dec. 31.