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QUEBEC — In reluctantly tabling back-to-work legislation that puts the construction strike on ice for now, the provincial government has managed to please almost nobody in the dispute and has set the stage for a possibly nasty showdown in the future.

At least a plea by union leader Michel Trépanier calmed hundreds of striking workers who were blocking access to the main entrance of the National Assembly as part of a protest that risked turning nasty Monday.

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Aside from a few cans and bottles being tossed at riot police, there was no damage — though a historic fountain had to be cleaned because workers filled it with dishwashing liquid.

“The owners asked for this (bill) and they got their gift today,” said Trépanier, spokesperson for L’alliance syndicale de la construction, representing 175,000 striking construction workers.

Construction companies “have been in the driver’s seat from the get go, but this law is contestable and we will contest it,” Trépanier said at a news conference capping an emotion-filled day at the legislature.