Last week, Quebec residents were unable to play the flagship Interprovincial Lottery Corporation game due to a strike by 455 professional workers over pay and conditions.
An agreement in principle was reached between Loto-Québec, the protesting administration, legal and technology employees, and the Syndicat des Professionnels du Gouvernement du Québec (SPGQ) union. The agreement, which has been ratified by unionized staff, will be valid until the end of 2027.
Under the terms of the deal, employees will work longer hours but will have more flexibility on location and receive increased pay. The contract includes a 2% pay increase each year, along with various bonuses such as a 1% bonus for 2022, a 2.5% signing bonus, a 6.5% bonus for 2022 to be given in January, a 1% per year retention bonus in 2024 and 2025, and a 10% expertise bonus for 35 professionals.
The strike caused disruptions to the lottery, including the postponement of the Québec launch of the revamped Lotto 6/49 and issues with ticket redemption. However, the first Lotto 6/49 draw in Québec, featuring several modifications to the game, is scheduled to take place today.
Lotto 6/49 now offers two multi-million dollar jackpots with each draw, while maintaining the same CA$3 entry fee. The Classic Draw, held for over 40 years, is now joined by The Golden Ball Draw, which replaces the previous guaranteed prize. Each draw will still have a guaranteed winner who will receive either a $1 million prize or a multi-million dollar prize.
