FTQ-Construction general manager retires

An FTQ-Construction banner hanging in Quebec City, March 12, 2024. (The Canadian Press/Jacques Boissinot) (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

FTQ-Construction General Manager Éric Boisjoly is retiring. His departure is effective immediately.

The FTQ-Construction represents nearly 90,000 workers, or 44.1 per cent of the workforce. It is the largest union organization in the industry.

Boisjoly confirmed his departure to the executive committee in a letter on Tuesday, then announced it on Wednesday at a meeting attended by the directors and representatives of its various member unions.

The FTQ-Construction reported that “steps are underway to determine the person who will take over as general manager. The processes set out in the organization’s constitution and by-laws will be duly applied.”

In recent weeks, the FTQ-Construction has been the subject of reports in Québecor media denouncing the expense allowances that were authorized for union officers or representatives. This created a stir within the organization.

Boisjoly was also spokesperson for the Alliance syndicale, which groups together the five rival union organizations in the construction industry. The Alliance is responsible for negotiating collective agreements for 200,000 workers throughout Quebec.

Just before his departure, the Alliance concluded important agreements in principle in three of the industry’s four sectors: civil engineering and roads, industrial, and institutional-commercial.

In a press release, FTQ-Construction president Alexandre Ricard praised Boisjoly.

“On behalf of the executive committee, I would like to congratulate Éric Boisjoly for having led our organization’s major battles on several occasions. In addition to the sometimes difficult negotiations to improve workers' wages and conditions, he has represented the FTQ-Construction before numerous bodies, always with the same rigor and in-depth knowledge of the issues and the industry. We warmly thank him for all the work he accomplished to advance workers' rights, and for his great contribution to the improvement of our organization.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French March 19, 2025.