The four unions represent almost 8,000 workers at the utility.
Four unions representing several thousand workers now have mandates for pressure tactics that could go as far as an indefinite strike at Hydro-Québec.
All four are local sections of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE/SCFP), which is the largest union affiliated with the FTQ.
The Syndicat des spécialistes et professionnel(le)s, which represents 5,430 members, voted 98.5 per cent in favour of the strike mandate.
The Syndicat des employé(e)s de techniques professionnelles et de bureau, which represents 2,300 workers, voted 96 per cent in favour of a strike mandate.
The Syndicat des employé(e)s de réseau d’Hydro-Québec, which represents 195 members, voted 98 per cent in favour.
And finally, the Syndicat des infirmières et infirmiers de chantier, which represents around 50 members, voted 96 per cent in favour.
CUPE evoked “a real wave of votes for the strike at Hydro-Québec.” But the union locals concerned did not wish to give an interview.
Asked to comment, Hydro said it did not want to interfere with the negotiations: “Hydro-Québec is putting all the necessary efforts into the ongoing discussions with its union partners and is therefore confident of reaching agreements.”