Indefinite Strike Begins at Kruger LaSalle Paper Mill

Approximately 150 workers initiated an indefinite strike on Monday at the Kruger paper mill located in LaSalle, Montreal. This marks the third work stoppage by union members, following a 36-hour walkout on November 21 and 22, and a seven-day strike beginning December 10. The union, affiliated with the Manufacturing Industry Federation and CSN, identifies wages as the primary dispute, rejecting the proposed increases as insufficient to counter inflation from the previous collective agreement.​

Union president Benoit St-Cyr stated: "We repeat once again that the employer's offers must prevent the impoverishment of workers, considering the rise in inflation during the term of the last collective agreement. There is also no reason why our purchasing power should not benefit from Kruger's overall success."​

Kruger management countered that its proposal—a 16 percent wage increase over four years, including eight percent in the first year, plus other improvements—safeguards and enhances employees' purchasing power amid recent inflation. The company has activated contingency measures to maintain product supply to customers during the strike. The LaSalle facility specializes in residential paper products under well-known brands.