The city of Montreal reveals that Montreal's blue-collar workers are planning to launch a general strike on Thursday, saying that it will not give in to the demands of its blue collar workers union despite plans by its 5,000 members to say no to overtime work starting next Thursday.

What this will mean to the general population is basically nothing, posted the city's labour relations director, Jean-Yves Hinse.

The major remarkable points in contract negotiations are revealed to be salaries and sub-contracting. The union is calling for a salary hike of 10 per cent over four years, and demanding the city cut back on subcontracting to private firms.

The union and the city reportedly met with the Essential Services Council yesterday to discuss the foreman issue.

The union's demands are reported to include a 9.5-per-cent pay hike over four years, fewer subcontracting of jobs to non-union personnel, pension contributions and permanent status for 600 casual workers.

The city has reportedly granted the union $1,670 per member each year since 2005 in a view to cover dental and medical claims, which come to $5 million per year.