About 70 workers picketed Wednesday afternoon in front of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Montreal, where many Just for Laughs festival comedians are staying.

The manager of the hotel, Raymond Soumako, said they walked off the job during negotiations. He said management staff is now performing the workers' tasks.

CSN labour federation treasurer Michel Valiquette said staff were wearing orange scarves with “csn” written on them, and management asked them to remove the scarves or leave.

Valiquette said the staff held a secret vote last week where 93 per cent favoured using pressure tactics.

Their main points of contention surround shift work. Staff are not happy with the four-hour shifts that some get. They are also against a hotel rule that says they must have a 12-hour gap before their next shift.

The employees are scheduled to vote on whether to hold a formal strike Wednesday afternoon.

Soumako said the walkout will not affect the festival.