MONTREAL – Premier Pauline Marois warned Thursday that her patience has its limits when it comes to Quebec’s first construction strike since 1986.

Although her government ruled out a legislated end a few days ago, it is now an obvious possibility even as Marois says she prefers a negotiated settlement.

The premier wouldn’t be pinned down on any deadlines during a radio interview but was clear her government won’t tolerate a lengthy strike.

“We’re not going to allow the situation to continue for a long time,” she said in an interview on Montreal’s 98.5 FM.

“We’re interested in settling this quickly.”

She said Labour Minister Agnes Maltais was meeting with both sides Thursday and telling them “to get back to the negotiating table and negotiate diligently.”

Marois pointed out the two sides were only separated by two or three issues when talks broke down on Saturday.

About 175,000 construction workers in the residential, commercial and industrial sector put down their tools on Monday, shutting down work sites across the province.

Among the projects that have been put on hold is the construction of Montreal’s two superhospitals, which are among the biggest construction projects in Canada. One of the hospitals is mired in scandals that have rocked Quebec’s construction industry.

Union leaders and members of the builders’ alliance going into the meeting with Maltais acknowledged the government isn’t kidding around but were tight-lipped after speaking with her.

“I think it’s serious,” said Gerard Cyr as he went into the meeting with Maltais. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

He pointed out the construction unions had already made concessions.

Jean Pouliot, a spokesman for the construction companies, said before the meeting that he wanted to see a settlement.

“We’re in solution mode,” he said.

Marois pointed out the strike is causing problems not just on megaprojects like the hospitals but to people waiting to move into new homes and condos as well as those renovating their properties.

Workers continued to stage noisy protests outside sites.

The main stumbling blocks in negotiations are wages and working conditions.

(With files from Martin Ouellet and Alexandre Robillard in Quebec City)