Talk turned to the election campaign – and Pierre Karl Peladeau’s decision to run as a PQ – as some 300 delegates from the CSN met in Montreal this week.

Peladeau’s reputation as an anti-worker media baron has inflamed the CSN and other unions, who typically support the Parti Quebecois.

“He's one of the worst employers in the province of Quebec. Fourteen lockouts in ten years – that's something that nobody has aspired to and I hope nobody else will aspire to,” said Ann Gingras, president of the CSN’s Quebec-Chaudiere-Appalaches faction.

The CSN has long supported a sovereign Quebec.

“For us, it is very clear,”said CSN president Jacques Letourneau.

The Parti quebecois has a long history of cozy relationships with unions, but that now seems to in danger. 

“In the Parti quebecois electoral platform, they were proposing a modernization of the labour code of Quebec and of course it was withdrawn last weekend, and of course one day later, which is very troubling, Pierre Karl Peladeau announced his candidacy,” said CSN Secretary-General Jean Lortie.

The labour organization is not endorsing anyone, but for some members, the answer is clear.

“I cannot cast my vote for a party that thinks that PKP has something to contribute to the social plan,” said Gingras.

The CSN has 300,000 members, most of them in Quebec, in fields ranging from factory and construction work to healthcare and education. Each one faces different challenges.

Sylvain Marois, vice-president of the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Quebec, who represents CEGEP and university teachers, said some promises have been unfulfilled.

“Financing to our universities – you remember the summit last year? Promises were made and we're still waiting,” he said.

Jean Murdock, FNEQ’s secretary-general and treasurer, added thathis members are concerned about fewer public services and a government that's less present in society.

In Quebec City Wednesday, Marois addressed union concerns about Peladeau's candidacy.

“During the last elections, we didn't have any support of any union organization. That was not the case for the FTQ, that was not the case for the CSN, and we will continue in this perspective,” she said, adding that she hopes union workers will still vote PQ.