Quebecor Locks Out 44 Unionized Workers at Newspaper Printing Plant in Mirabel, Quebec

MIRABEL, QUEBEC—September 2, 2015—Quebecor, a leading Canadian integrated communications firm, has locked out 44 workers from its printing plant just north of Montreal. The lock-out affects press workers, mechanics, electricians and handlers. The Mirabel plant produces Montreal French-language dailies Le Devoir and le Journal de Montréal, as well as a number of other newspapers, reported The Huffington Post.

In addition to representing these employees, the Teamsters union said it's also trying to assist 35 additional workers who were laid off by Quebecor, due to lower printing volumes and the ending of commercial activities. Last January, 15 workers were also let go.

Quebecor responded in a news release stating that after months of negotiations failed to reach a new contract, the company did not have a choice, and is currently seeking the appointment of a different mediator.

According to The Huffington Post, Union representative Denis Fornier said that he did not understand why Quebecor decided to take that dramatic course of action when both parties' sides aren't too far apart.