Construction raiding takes place from May 1 to June 2, 2024.

Depending on the status of the person voting in the ballot, his or her choice of allegiance may also determine the union representativeness of the various associations considered for ratification of the following collective agreements.

Under the Act respecting labour relations, vocational training and manpower management in the construction industry (Act R-20), a union ballot is organized by the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) every four years, during which workers in the industry have the opportunity to change their union allegiance.

The next voting period will run from June 3 to 22, 2024. Strict rules govern canvassing and advertising by syndical associations in preparation for the vote, commonly referred to as "raiding". Bill R-20 provides for a raiding period from May 1 to June 2, 2024. It is during this period only that union associations may advertise and solicit construction industry workers for membership.

Article 31:
No advertising in any form whatsoever and no solicitation may be made to employees with a view to obtaining their membership of an association of employees except for a period commencing on the first day of the twelfth month preceding the date of expiry of the collective agreement provided for in Article 47 and ending on the day preceding that of the start of the voting period.

All such advertising and solicitation must be made outside the workplace. [...]

Article 98. No one may, in the name or on behalf of an employee association, solicit employee membership of an association during working hours.

It's an important step, because it determines the weight of the parties at the bargaining table. It remains an important step for the workers and, ultimately, for the ACQ and the employer bargaining agents.