Construction workers across Quebec have launched a series of rotating job actions in an attempt to erase roadblocks that are stalling contract negotiations.

Members of the Union Alliance met Wednesday morning to discuss the state of negotiations, and they say it is not going well.

Talks between the Alliance and the Association de la construction du Quebec (ACQ) began eight months ago, and despite the aid of mediators and conciliators they have stalled.

Until they get back on track, the Alliance is advising workers to take all their mandated breaks and to refuse overtime.

Hostile negotiations

The ACQ wants to end what it calls 'unproductive payments' such as a bonus paid to employees who show up to work, saying such payments have no place for employees working in the industrial sector.

Alliance representative Donald Fortin says "employers are demanding an end to double-time overtime pay, and want it replaced with time and a half."

"I have never seen such a hostile attitude at the negotiating table," said Fortin.

The ACQ says it has offered workers raises of 1 per cent, 1 per cent and 2 per cent over the next three years.

Eric Cherbaka of the Quebec Home Builders' Association said the offer in the residential sector is generous.

"We offered over 9 per cent over three years, health benefits and salary," he said.

The Alliance wants to see employees compensated when they have to use their own vehicle to travel between multiple job sites in one day.

It would also like the contract to be retroactive, since employees have been without an agreement for the past four months.

The Alliance said on Tuesday that if no progress is made by the end of the month, 146,000 construction workers in Quebec could begin a general strike on August 31.

It will be the first general strike since the disruption in the early 70s during the building of the Olympic Stadium.

Could affect homeowners

If a general strike occurs, it could affect all construction in Quebec, from roadwork to new buildings to home renovations.

Dennis Chisholm, of Chisholm-Apcor construction, says the last time any job action affected homeowners was about 20 years ago.

"If we were doing a repair or putting in a few windows, I doubt very much it would have any impact," said Chisholm. "But if you were doing an extension on a home which is very much considered new construction, then that could be problematic."

Contract negotiations resume Wednesday morning at 8:30 with the aid of a government mediator.