Blue collar workers protested at city hall as they began the first in a 40-day series of strikes.

They performed only essential services in the Ville-Marie borough.

Cote-des-Neiges/N.D.G. and St. Laurent will also lose services this week.

While on strike, city employees will refuse to pickup garbage or recycling, and will not clear snow unless 9 cm has fallen, however they will spread salt and abrasives on sidewalks and roads in case of freezing conditions.

5,000 unionized workers have been without a contract for two years.

They're demanding wage increases and a reduction in reliance on private contractors.

Strike Schedule

  • Ville-Marie: Jan. 25 & Feb. 15
  • Cote des Neiges / Notre Dame de Grace: Jan. 26 & Feb. 16
  • St. Laurent: Jan 27 & Feb. 17
  • Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve: Jan. 28 & Feb. 18
  • Plateau / Mont Royal: Jan. 29 & Feb. 19
  • Outremont: Jan. 30 & Feb. 20
  • Ile Bizard / Ste. Genevieve: Jan. 31 & Feb. 21
  • Rosemont / La Petite Patrie: Feb. 1 & 22
  • Villeray / St. Michel / Park Extension: Feb. 2 & 23
  • Southwest: Feb. 3 & 24
  • RDP / Pointe aux Trembles: Feb. 4 & 25
  • Ahuntsic / Cartierville: Feb. 5 & 26
  • Lachine: Feb. 6 & 27
  • Anjou: Feb. 7 & 28
  • Montreal North: Feb. 8 & Mar. 1
  • LaSalle: Feb. 9 & Mar. 2
  • Pierrefonds / Roxboro: Feb. 10 & Mar. 3
  • St. Leonard: Feb. 11 & Mar. 4
  • Verdun: Feb. 12 & Mar. 5
  • Central Services: Feb. 13 & 14
  • The Biodome and Insectarium will be closed on Feb. 13 & 14