(Quebec) The Legault government has submitted a new offer to the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ), which represents the majority of nurses. Negotiations had been at an impasse since the union members rejected an agreement in principle in April.
“Today, the government is showing openness and reaching out to the FIQ to reach an agreement that respects both the needs of the population and the demands of FIQ nurses,” said Treasury Board President Sonia LeBel in a written statement on Thursday.
“In the proposals we tabled earlier today, we are suggesting a different path to achieve our flexibility objective that would allow us to better care for Quebecers,” she explained, without giving additional details.
“I have always said that achieving objectives is more important than the means used to achieve them. This offer takes into account the concerns expressed by FIQ members. It is now up to the FIQ to take steps towards us to join us,” she added.
In April, FIQ members rejected the agreement in principle reached between their union and the Quebec government for the renewal of their collective agreements. It was rejected by 61% of union members who voted and the turnout was high, with 77% of members voting.
Majority of nurses
The FIQ represents more than 80,000 members, the vast majority of nurses, nursing assistants, respiratory therapists and clinical perfusionists in Quebec.
The “flexibility” that the government is seeking would allow it to more easily move health network employees from one establishment to another, to meet the health needs of Quebecers.
According to Quebec, this agreement is absolutely necessary, for example, to allow a FIQ union member to work in the “flying teams” created by Health Minister Christian Dubé to compensate for staff shortages in remote regions.
“I have full confidence in Sonia LeBel’s team to successfully conduct these negotiations. The new agreement must have a positive impact on patients and employees in all regions of Quebec,” Mr. Dubé said on social media.