This text is part of the special issue on Trade Unionism
Negotiations of collective agreements, filing of grievances… the Alliance of Professional and Technical Staff in Health and Social Services (APTS) intends to continue to defend the rights of its 65,000 members in order to improve their working conditions.
The union organization has had “significant” victories since its creation in 2004, rejoices Robert Comeau, president of the APTS. “We have developed expertise with a service that is as close as possible to members, with people trained in labor relations who answer their questions, direct them to the right place and file the necessary appeals,” he says.
Failure to respect seniority for a replacement, posting of a position with criteria that are not provided for in the collective agreement, vacation quotas, etc. Several reasons can push APTS members to turn to their union for help.
So, when a worker finds themselves in such a situation, they are advised to first discuss it with the employer. “Often, these things are resolved in these committees. Then, if we cannot reach an agreement and we are convinced that the right has been violated, that is when we file a grievance,” explains Mr. Comeau. He adds that this avenue is not the first one preferred by employees. “Their first instinct is to find a peaceful, non-judicial solution,” he emphasizes. “Sometimes, managers do not see everything and mistakes can happen. Some cases are resolved simply like that, in good faith. That is what we prioritize as an organization: discussion and dialogue.”
If the dispute is not resolved, it can be discussed in a labour relations committee between the employer and the employee. “Otherwise, there are remedies,” continues Mr. Comeau.
Filing a grievance with an employer, a court or a professional order is still a little-known practice among APTS union members. This avenue may be the one to choose when an employee feels their rights have been violated by their employer. “When we file grievances and go to arbitration, we often win. It is not taken lightly,” Mr. Comeau emphasizes. Conversely, if the APTS believes that its member is in error, it also takes measures against them. “We have a duty to help them move forward and explain the collective agreement to them,” adds the union member.
Concrete victories
These interventions also led to certain victories during the Common Front walkout last year, which also benefited members of other trade union organisations. This was particularly the case with regard to the acquisition of seniority even during strike episodes. ” “These were short-term strikes, often minutes, sometimes hours, which were not taken into account, depending on the type of job. We went to debate and we won our case,” Mr. Comeau emphasizes.
He also cites as an example the case of whistleblowers on the Côte-Nord, who revealed the accommodation conditions of patients at the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) de la Côte-Nord. “The employer took measures not to solve the problem, but against the employees. According to them, the employees should not have reported these situations, because it harmed the reputation of the establishment,” recalls Mr. Comeau. The dispute ultimately ended with the employer validating the right of the staff to make public denunciations.
The APTS is also working to have the expertise acquired abroad by some of its members recognized. “We have people who come to us, who have skills in their country, but who are not recognized by employers,” he illustrates. He gives the example of a Romanian biomedical engineer whose know-how was finally recognized following the filing of a grievance. “That gives us more people in the network to provide services,” emphasizes the union representative.
The organization’s current hobbyhorse is the Dubé reform, adopted under a gag order in December 2023 by the National Assembly of Quebec. “The public health and social services network is really being put to the test. We have a lot of incursions from the private sector, we are giving waiting lists to the private sector. For us, this goes against a system accessible to all, regardless of income or where you live,” says Mr. Comeau. And when we invest in public services, it’s because we believe in them. We are capable of providing these services, but we must be given the means to do so.”
Filing a grievance with an employer, a court or a professional body remains a little-known practice among APTS union members.
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