More than 2,400 University of Montreal lecturers walked off the job at 1 p.m. Wednesday, nearly six months after their contract with the university expired.

Up until now, the lecturers had been holding half-day and one-day walkouts.

Francis Lagacé, president of the lecturers union, said the lecturers want three things: more money, a more balanced workload and smaller class sizes.

The union had no choice but to strike because negotiations were moving too slowly, Lagacé said.

"What we are trying to aim for is that the teaching conditions will be better," Lagacé told CBC News.

"Our teaching conditions are their learning conditions. We are working for the good of us both - students and lecturers."

But Luc Granger, associate vice-rector for faculty affairs at the university, said the students will pay the ultimate price if the strike drags on.

"If the strike lasts for a month, we're going to have to reschedule the session and prolong it, and of course students will have less time to work this summer," Granger said.

Granger said the strike is premature.

He said the two sides have been meeting with a mediator from Quebec's labour ministry.

They are scheduled to meet again on March 8, Granger said.