Nearly 300 employees at the Montreal newspaper were locked out in January 2009. (Canadian Press)

Unionized newsroom and office staff at Journal de Montréal, one of Quebec's most popular newspapers, have voted overwhelmingly against a new contract from their employer, Quebecor.

At least 253 Journal employees met behind closed doors on Tuesday to vote on the latest contract proposal from Quebecor Media Inc. (QMI).

According to the union, 89.3 per cent of workers who voted rejected the deal.

The show of unity came in the wake of an offer that reportedly had the potential to sow divisions within the union. QMI offered to bring some of the 253 locked-out employees back to work — but, at the same time, reportedly planned to chop most of the jobs.

QMI also sought concessions from its unionized employees, including longer working hours, production outsourcing, and reduced benefits.

The media giant, owned by businessman Pierre Karl Peladeau, locked out editorial and office staff in January 2009 after failing to renew their collective agreement.

The lockout has turned out to be the longest of its kind in North America and spawned an offshoot online publication — ruefrontenac.com — staffed by sidelined newsroom staff.

Most are exhausted by the lockout, but still want to stand up for their principles, said reporter Gabrielle Duchaine, who covers health issues.

5-week negotiating blitz

"I want to be a reporter, and Quebecor has to sell so many items, it's more of a promotions job than a reporter job," Duchaine said prior to the vote, referring to the media company's other holdings, which include cable, internet and cellphone provider Vidéotron.

Many newsroom staff are willing to continue their work with ruefrontenac.com, but the publication "doesn't have the same means as the Journal," said education reporter Jean-Philippe Pineault.

The latest contract offer is the result of a five-week negotiating blitz with a government-appointed mediator that wrapped on the weekend.

Journal de Montréal employees are represented by the union federation Confédération des Syndicats Nationaux.

The newspaper has continued to operate with the use of replacement workers during the 21-month stoppage.

Quebecor is also planning to start a new national TV news channel and is vying to bring NHL hockey back to Quebec City with the help of public funding for a new arena.